ORLANDO — The Sun & Moon Tribune sat down with author and (so-called) creator of Havenwood Falls, Kristie Cook, for an exclusive interview. She released the first story that begins the revelation of Havenwood Falls’ secrets on Friday, Aug. 4, titled Forget You Not. Although the Court of the Sun and the Moon is not pleased with these authors coming to our quiet town and snooping around the businesses and personal lives of our residents and visitors, they have reached an agreement to write only fictional tales. But are these authors sticking to that agreement? Or are they airing everyone’s dirty laundry? Secrets and lies are fiercely protected in Havenwood Falls, so we may never know what is true and what is merely a figment of the authors’ imaginations.
To help you, our readers, make that decision, we will be interviewing all of these authors so you may get to know them better. We begin with Cook.
What inspired this particular storyline?
I’ve been in a bit of a writing slump with my other projects, so I was looking for something new and different. As the creator of the Havenwood Falls world, I also wanted to write something that would subtly bring readers into the folds of the town, while introducing them to the rules. What better way than someone who’s new to town—or at least thinks she is? And who can resist second-chance romance?
What made you choose these particular … creatures?
I’ve written all kinds of supernaturals, but I’ve yet to write vampires as my main characters, so again, they were something new. I also wanted to show readers that in this world, there is room for more than one type of any given species, including vampires. So instead of taking the more traditional or gothic vampire, which someone else may write about later, I went with the moroi—mortal vampires from Romania with a vampire gene that gets triggered.
What’s your favorite line?
This snippet of a conversation between Michaela and Addie:
“At least give him a chance to explain. Talk to him.”
“That’d be a lot easier if he didn’t disappear right after . . . playing me.”
She giggled at the innuendo, and my anger diffused.
“Like a fiddle?” she teased.
“More like an electric guitar,” I quipped. “And I sang like a damn rock star.”
What did you enjoy most about writing this story?
Living in the Havenwood Falls world with the other authors. The collaboration has been amazing, and all of us seriously just want to move there. Even with all the dark and quirky strangeness of the town. More specifically to this story, I really enjoyed writing new characters with a romance I’m still getting to know.
Have you ever lived in a place like Havenwood Falls? How does Havenwood Falls compare to where you call home?
I’ve lived in a small town before, but it was nothing like Havenwood Falls. I’m a beach girl and am happy where I live in Florida, but my second choice would be Colorado, in the mountains.
What made you decide to write a Havenwood Falls story?
Well, I kind of came up with the idea, so thought I should write a story in it. Lol So probably the better question is why did I decide to create this shared world? Easy. I wanted a place to play with my writer friends. I always thought it would be fun to have a setting where multiple authors wrote about characters in that same place. Almost like each author was writing an episode of a TV show that was its own story, but crossovers with the other episodes because of the common characters and locations. So I thought I’d create the basis of the world and then invite other authors I admire and respect to write a story in it, growing the universe. I’d hoped the collaboration would be fun and also a learning experience. It’s been a thousand times more than anything I’d expected.
If you lived in Havenwood Falls, what kind of creature would you be and why?
Hmm…part of me would want to be a witch with the Luna Coven because they have the true power. But I’m probably more like a gypsy, or a fae, or one of the psychic spiritual writers. We have some really cool characters coming. It’s hard to decide which I would want to be.
What has been the most surprising aspect of writing in this Shared World?
How much everyone is loving it. I mean, I’d hoped for this, otherwise why do it, but the response has been incredible. Authors are having so much fun, everyone working together to ensure we all produce the best stories possible. So far, readers are saying exactly what I’d hoped for—that they want to move to Havenwood Falls. And even others, from the intellectual property attorney who helped me draw up the contract to others inside and outside of the industry and book community, have told me how excited they are about this project. It’s been such a fun ride, and we haven’t even left the station yet!
Would you do a project like this again?
Definitely! I have more books planned in the main Havenwood Falls series, and I’ll be writing my first Young Adult for the Havenwood Falls High series next year. We have two more product lines launching in 2018 that I may write for, as well. And who knows…maybe my team at Ang’dora will create a whole different Shared World in the future. The possibilities are endless.
As always, the Sun & Moon Tribune will stay on this story with Cook and the other authors. You may also see them around town, and Cook insists you may ask them your own questions. Fortunately, the authors are not difficult to locate–just peek in the windows of Coffee Haven and Broastful Brew, and you’ll find them in their natural habitat. You may also meet with them in the Havenwood Falls Book Club. Cook will be doing a Live Q&A session with the Book Club tonight, Monday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. ET.
About Forget You Not
Two years ago, Kaela Peters nearly killed her fiancé by ripping his throat out. Once she gained control over her vampire urges, she hoped to rekindle their love, only to find him on one knee again—now with her best friend. She can’t blame them for their betrayal, though. They’ve been compelled to forget that she even existed. But she can’t forget them, so when she receives an unexpected job offer far away in the Colorado mountains, she seizes the opportunity to escape her past and the painful memories.
If only she’d known she was running right into her true past and memories that cut even deeper.
Her real name isn’t Kaela Peters, Havenwood Falls and her new job are not what they seem on the surface, and the love of her life isn’t the ex in Atlanta. As she starts piecing together the fragmented memories of her past and her moroi heritage, the passion of old love reignites. Until she discovers that the triggering of her vampire gene may have been foul play with dire consequences—and Xandru Roca, the epic love she’d left behind, has something to do with it all.
Purchase at the special release price of 99c prior to Aug. 11, when the prices goes up to its normal $2.99.
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About Kristie Cook
She has also written The Book of Phoenix trilogy, a New Adult paranormal romance series that includes The Space Between, The Space Beyond, and The Space Within. The full trilogy is available now.
Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, getting her hippie on, and feeding her addictions to coffee, chocolate, cheese, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Supernatural. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Florida home.
Author’s Website & Blog: http://www.KristieCook.com
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