Today, I have author Sierra Brave in the interview chair. We’re discussing her latest release Scarlett and the Big Bad, book one in the Fate Fairytales series, a paranormal romance. Be sure to check out the excerpt.
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All About Scarlett and the Big Bad:
1. First, what’s your favourite scene in the book? Not in regards to writing, but reading, and why?
Sierra: I don’t want to give away too much, but there’s a scene in the book where Monty goes to fight Alessandro, the only person he believes can stop him. He has history with this man and doesn’t like him much. Alessandro, who will be a larger character in a future book, had been Monty’s mother’s boss, but also her best friend. There’s no way he’d ever fight with or hurt Monty, but he does force the stubborn young man to confront some truths about himself. I liked the transformative learning. Monty’s attitude doesn’t change right away, but what was said stuck with him.
2. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
Sierra: Wow – loaded question. I’m always nitpicking so probably, but only in terms of word choices here or there. I think I’ve captured Scarlett and Monty’s romantic journey.
3. What do you love most about your two main characters?
Sierra: Both Scarlett and Monty start off believing certain things that aren’t true. She thinks she’s been chosen to be a powerful priestess, but the truth is something terrible. Monty’s scared of a part of himself he hasn’t been able to conquer, but before the story is over, he has no choice but to embrace that dangerous aspect of himself.
4. What makes you want to shake your two main characters?
Sierra: Monty is too stuck in his routines as a means of keeping order in his life. All the rules are crutches to prevent a loss of control. When Scarlett enters his world, he starts trying to force her into the life he already has instead of looking at how her presence and unique perspective can open up possibilities. He’s so busy demanding adherence to his rules, he can’t see how lost she is or understand how much better things could be if he allowed a fuller partnership.
I cut Scarlett some slack for going along to get along for as long as she does since she’s been dropped into a whole new world and things aren’t as she expected. Considering, I think she adapts well and is brave when she has to be.
5. If you could spend time with one character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Sierra: I think Monty’s sister, Katina, and I would be great friends. I’d support her in her endeavors to liberate the women of her pack, but when we had time to relax, we’d grab some lattes and head to the nail salon.
6. Did the characters hijack the story or did you feel like you had control of your book?
Sierra: Of course they did! I pulled them back into the narrative in some places, and the side characters keep spawning their own stories in my head.
7. How did you come up with the title for your book?
Sierra: The story is a re-telling of two others. Scarlett is a play on Red Riding Hood, and the Big Bad refers to the Big Bad Wolf from The Three Little Pigs.
8. If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the leads?
Sierra: Jason Momoa would be perfect for Monty. Scarlett’s a little harder – Maybe Deborah Ann Woll.
9. If your book was a candle, what scent would it be and why?
Sierra: Passion fruit — a lot of emotions run hot throughout.
10. If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Sierra: Kings and Queens – Monty spends so much time trying to protect Scarlett, he doesn’t realize how much stronger he’d be if he leaned on her a little more.
11. If your book was a colour, what would it be and why?
Sierra: Bright red like Scarlett’s hair, the cape she wears when she leaves her village, her bottom after Monty spanks her, and the sizzling hot love scenes!
12. If a reader asked you why they should read your book, what would you tell them?
Sierra: Read for a great time. Enjoy the steamy romance and adventure.
13. What can we expect from you in the future?
Sierra: I’m working on book two in the series, a re-telling of Goldilocks with three sexy bear-shifter brothers. She’ll have to figure out which one she wants or if it will take all three for things to be “just right.” The romance will be all new, but The Order of the Phoenix arc will continue, and Scarlett will be a supporting character.
Sierra Brave on Writing:
1. Tell us about your writing process.
Sierra: I start with a concept, and then I make an outline and beat sheet. As I start writing, I develop my characters more, and they take over a bit, but I have to finesse them to follow the narrative.
2. How much research goes into your books?
Sierra: My research depends on what I’m writing. With fantasy, I make up a lot of the world building, but if I’m writing about a particular place or time period, I’ll read articles or books about the area and what was happening at the time.
3. What do you enjoy most about writing?
Sierra: I love putting a tiny bit of myself into characters who are very different from me.
4. What do you enjoy least about writing?
Sierra: The worst part about writing is when I decide I can’t use something I’ve written in the story. Cutting scenes feels like losing blood.
5. You can only recommend one of your novels to a reader, which would you choose from the books you’ve written so far, and why?
Sierra: I’ll go with Horse Mountain Heat. The curvy girl heroine is loosely based on my sister. After her divorce, I wanted to write a book-boyfriend for her.
6. What novel was your personal favourite to write, and why?
Sierra: I enjoyed writing all of my books, but I’m currently writing Alice in Shifterland, a campy, sexy, over-the-top serial re-telling of Alice in Wonderland. I’m publishing it on the reading app, Radish. I love being able to release a chapter at a time, and I’m having a ball creating all the tongue-in-cheek humor and the outlandish personalities of the characters.
All About Sierra Brave!
1. Readers know about the writer you, but what about the everyday you?
Sierra: I’m a wife and mother of three.
2. What is something unique/quirky about you?
Sierra: I quit writing when my (then) nineteen-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. I couldn’t wrap my mind around any stories at all, much less steamy romance. I prayed and spent all the time I could with my son, and by the grace of God, he responded to chemo. As he started feeling better, my inspiration returned. He’s still fighting, and I’m writing every day again.
3. What are some of your pet peeves?
Sierra: I certainly have my flaws so I try not to be too judgmental of others, but I can’t abide by hatefulness. I don’t like seeing people mistreated for being different. The worst of the worst would be people who mistreat animals for kicks.
4. Where were you born/grew up at?
Sierra: For safety reasons, I try not to give up too much geographical information online so I’ll just say I was born and raised in the Southeastern United States.
5. Describe yourself in five words or less!
Sierra: Loving mother; loyal friend.
Sierra Brave on Reading:
1. What book do you think everyone should read?
Sierra: Alice in Wonderland
2. What fiction genre(s) do you read the most?
Sierra: Fantasy and romance
3. Share your favourite character from a book that you’ve read, and why they are your fave.
Sierra: I’m fond of Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. She’s a tragic character in the beginning of the story, and truly even after her dragons hatch, and she becomes more powerful, she’s still an outsider with no home where she belongs. She’s beautifully flawed, and her story is a terrific read.
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Title: Scarlett and the Big Bad
Series: Fate Fairytales #1
Author: Sierra Brave
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Heat Rating: Steamy/Hot
Publisher: Passion’s Paramour Publications
Word Count: 80K words/252 pages print
Release Date: March 9, 2021
What if Red Riding Hood invited peril, and the big, bad wolf was the only hero who could save her?
Blurb: Promised power and position, Scarlett Capuche left her tiny village to join the prestigious Order of the Phoenix.
Monty Blackwolf never wanted a mate, especially not a human raised on a hidden farm for blood-ritual sacrifice. But his werewolf’s heightened sense of smell drew him to Scarlett’s sweet fragrance from miles away.
Duty-bound to protect her, he will break her of her religious devotion to the magical terrorist group responsible for the murders of his parents and older brother, even if he has to put her over his knee and turn her bottom as red as her hair.
She belongs to him now, and he will claim all of her despite his affliction with a unique, third shifter-form he doesn’t fully understand and isn’t able to control.
Will Monty save Scarlett, or will he prove more dangerous to her than anyone else?
Author’s Note: If you’re offended by steamy fairytale retellings with graphic language, explicit put-you-in-the-moment love scenes, elements of power exchange, and domestic discipline, you might want to look for a different book.
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“Elosha warned me. She said there would be people who would try to turn me against The Order, predominantly men because they can’t stand a matriarchal society with the dominant power. She said that’s why men only want to marry virgins because they’re too selfish to raise a baby that isn’t their blood.” Without waiting for his rebuttal, she ran for the exit, but as she opened the passage a couple of inches, he slapped his huge hand against the wood and forced her escape-access shut.
He pinned her against the door. “You are mine, and you aren’t going anywhere unless I say you can.”
“Talk about proving my point.” She yanked at the knob.
His breath clung to her nape as his strapping body crushed her. She closed her eyes, unable to move beneath his weight. He held each of her wrists, his palms surrounding them, and applying enough pressure she knew he could break her bones if he desired. His cock pressed against her ass, hardening as she squirmed. He brushed his cheek against the side of her forehead, prickling her skin with his beard.
“I’m sorry, Scarlett. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but you have to understand who’s in charge. You will obey me.”
Scarlett’s heart thumped as sweat trickled down from her hairline. She had no idea what to expect from this man who ran hot and cold in the blink of an eye.
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Sierra Brave is a multi-published author of heart-pounding, blush-inducing romance with put-you-in-the-moment love scenes. She enjoys writing about a variety of gorgeous alpha males who can’t resist head-strong heroines. Curvy girls have a special place in her heart and often grace the pages of her books. Tales of shifters, cowboys, twisted fairy tales, space pirates, Amazon warriors, and vampires capture her imagination, as do tempting spanking and ménage scenarios, but she also engages in more down-to-earth themes such as office romance. You’ll find lots of unique characters and humor in all of her stories.
Find Sierra: Web Site | Blog | Facebook Page | Twitter | Amazon | BookBub | Instagram | Newsletter Sign-Up
Maggie Blackbird 