Author Invasion: Desiree Lafawn

By Olea Sprig

HAVENWOOD FALLS–In today’s issue of Author Invasion, we are with author Desiree Lafawn, and as a bonus, she has brought along some of her characters. Lafawn has written Kiss the Ashes (A Legends of Havenwood Falls Novella), which released Feb. 1, 2019. Some of her other works include: Glass City Hearts and The Long Road Home, plus several more. She was kind enough to sit down with us and answer some questions.

Desiree, what made you start writing?
Reading. I started reading in preschool and was reading starter chapter books in kindergarten. It sounds weird, but at the time, I was so advanced in that department they didn’t really know what to do with me. I used to check my maximum number of books out of the library every week and come back seven days later for more. Reading was, and remains, my very favorite pleasure. Writing, or storytelling, was just the natural progression. I wanted to be one of those people that made me feel the feelings.

What is a book that has inspired you?
This is going to sound bizarre but it’s the truth. When I ran out of books, I would read stuff my stepmom had in her stash. Three influential books for me when I was MUCH too young to read them but did so anyway were Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, The Thornbirds by Colleen McCullough, and Scruples by Judith Krantz. I was in seventh grade maybe when I read all three of them, and they blew. my. mind.

Who is an author you look up to?
I look up to a lot of authors from a lot of different genres. But if I had to pick someone more personal, it would be P Jameson. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her and getting to know her a little bit over the last two years. She was one of my favorites before I met her (Dirt Track Dogs, Racing Home, Annie and Blister FOR LIFE!), and has become somewhat of a mentor to me. One of the most talented, humble, and downright beautiful humans to exist in my life, and the fact that she supports me is amazing. I hope I always know her. I hope that I can be as helpful to someone else in this industry as she has been to me.

Do you have a muse?
If by muse you mean “Do you have manic fits of inspiration where you stare off into space when your husband is talking right to you and you can’t carry on a conversation at all until you scribble your findings in one of the hundred spiral notebooks there are lying around the house,” then yeah, I have a muse.

How do you come up with character names?
They come up with themselves. I’m sorry if that sounds weird, but it’s true. I get fixated on a character and their name simply exists to me. It’s not 100 percent every time but mostly. And even if I have to change a name for whatever reason, I still refer to them by my original name inside my head.

If you lived in Havenwood Falls, who would you be or what would you be?
Roman Bishop’s tax guy. I bet he knows all the dirt.

Out of all the books you have written, which one is your favorite?
The Permanence of Pain. You see, my first book for Havenwood Falls Legends is historical. And clean. Both of which are not normal for me, lol. I write steamy romance. Hot alpha males. Open door stuff, you know how it is. The Permanence of Pain is a contemporary romance that rocked my career and completely changed the course of my writing. It is an emotional book and something I still consider to be one of my best pieces of writing, even though readers, of course, all have their favorites. The Permanence of Pain was an emotional gouging for me, and the first time I thought to myself “Oh my God. I can do this. I can DO this.” I still cry (happy tears) when I re-read it.

What is your go-to genre to read?
Paranormal romance baby. Gimme magic. Gimme Supes. Gimme weird and unexplainable.

Thank you so much Desiree, I have really enjoyed this interview with you and can’t wait to get my hands on Kiss the Ashes.

 

Now on to Jonas, River, and Meri. First of all, thank you so much for being here. My first question is for Jonas: where is your favorite place in Havenwood Falls?
Jonas Pederson – My favorite place in Havenwood Falls is right outside River McNee’s lunch cart, because it’s the only time she gives me the time of day.

Well, Jonas, that’s not creepy at all. laughs My next question is for red-faced River. Where would you go on vacation?
River McNee – I don’t really want to leave Havenwood Falls. I love it here and the thought of being gone too long and forgetting it exists is too scary for me. But if it were an option, I’d like to go to France and learn to make French pastries. What? It’s relaxing for me. I’d consider that vacation!

River I think I would go with you. Now, Meri, what is one secret you are willing to tell us?
Meri McNee – The secret ingredient in the peach pie is bourbon! Don’t tell Alice I told you!

I definitely will keep that under wraps. winks

Well, that’s all our time for today. Make sure to get your copy of Kiss the Ashes.

 Desiree Lafawn

Desiree lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband, two children, and two rowdy cats. She is a craft addicted, roller skating amateur foodie who loves anime, wine and snacks. Mostly snacks. She writes contemporary as well as paranormal romance because fairy tales are where it’s at. Everything is better with a little bit of magic.

 

 

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