Welcome to another captivating instalment of Author Spotlight here on Literary Inspired, where I take immense pleasure in introducing you to the remarkable talents that grace the world of indie romance literature. This series is designed to shine a brilliant spotlight on gifted authors, providing a platform for them to connect with their readers, share invaluable insights into their writing journey, and showcase their literary works that have captured our hearts.
In this edition of Author Spotlight, we are thrilled to present the talented Stacy Kristen, an indie author specialising in crafting tales of erotic romance and romantic suspense, all generously sprinkled with happily-ever-afters. Beyond her passion for writing, Stacy is an avid reader of romance, a baker extraordinaire, a caffeine enthusiast, a globetrotter, and an enthusiastic observer of the squirrels that grace her backyard.
Today, Stacy has graciously chosen to feature her scintillating series, Desert Aces MC. This trilogy promises heart-pounding adventures, intense emotions, and love stories to keep you on the edge of your seat. As a special treat, all three books in this series are available for free download on Kindle Unlimited.
Now, let’s dive into an exclusive interview with Stacy Kristen, where she shares her journey as an indie author, her inspirations, and the enticing world of the Desert Aces MC series.
Can you tell us about your journey as an indie author and what inspired you to write romance novels?
As an avid reader of romance, becoming a writer was something I always wanted to do. So I did.
What drew you to the romance genre, particularly erotic romance and romantic suspense?
I read so many different romance subgenres and tropes, but both of those are what I love to read the most.
The Desert Aces MC series focuses on different types of romances, such as enemies to lovers, age gap, and forced proximity. What made you choose these themes for your books?
I wish I could say I chose them. Instead, they chose me, lol! I’m a total pantser, so when I write, I don’t pick tropes beforehand. I just wait to see how the story evolves, and then identify what tropes are in each book.
How do you approach creating strong chemistry and intense emotions between your characters in your romantic suspense novels?
I try to put myself in their shoes. How would it feel? And how would others feel? That usually does the trick.
Can you share some insights into your writing process? Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you get into the writing zone?
I just try to temporarily ignore the rest of the world that is going on around me and get in the headspace to write. I also listen to music that sets the mood for a scene or even a chapter. Check out my Pinterest boards for links to songs that I listened to while writing each book. There are pictures that inspired each book, too.
The Desert Aces MC series is available for free download on Kindle Unlimited. What motivated you to make these books accessible to a wider audience?
I tried going wide and my sales plummeted. So now all of my books are part of KU.
What challenges did you face while writing the Desert Aces MC series, and how did you overcome them?
I’d love to say that I didn’t face any challenges, but that wouldn’t be true! Jax was so hard to write. The book twists and turns so much, and trying to keep all the details straight broke my brain, lol!
Are there any particular authors or books that have influenced your writing style or have been sources of inspiration for you?
There are so many, I can’t begin to name them all! But if I had to narrow it down to a few, they would be Jenika Snow, Ainsley Booth, and Bella J.
Apart from writing, you mentioned enjoying baking, travelling, and observing squirrels in your backyard. How do these activities contribute to your creativity as an author?
I’ve never thought about it before, but they do contribute to my creativity, each in their own way! I bake for enjoyment. And I also bake when I have writer’s block. And of course, traveling inspires me to write about fun and exciting places far away from where I live. As for the squirrels, they’re a bunch of hooligans and provide comedic relief. They make me laugh. So, I see them as stress relievers, if anything, which helps me focus on writing by keeping my mind off what’s going on around me.
What can readers expect from your upcoming releases, and do you have any new projects or series in the pipeline?
Collateral Damage was just released on June 10th. I’m taking a little breather, but still plotting for my next book. I’m currently floating ideas in my head about a sports romance, baseball specifically. We’ll see what shakes out.
I also have something else in the works for next year: I’m part of a charity anthology. Stay tuned for more details.
Thank you for joining us in this edition of Author Spotlight featuring Stacy Kristen. If you’re as captivated by her writing as we are, you can find her books on Amazon, visit her website at stacykristenauthor.com, connect with her on Goodreads and BookBub, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. For even more engagement, don’t miss out on her Facebook Group and other links.
If you’re an indie romance author with a story to share and would like to be featured in our Author Spotlight series, please fill out the form found on this page: Author Spotlight Submission. Let’s continue to celebrate the vibrant world of indie romance authors together.
