At the bidding of his family to joyride on the way back from a business trip in Texas, he stumbles across the geeky and adorable Kristen wrapped up in southern grace. At a bar in a small town, something draws him towards her direction.
Is love at first sight real or will her own secret turn him away?
Let's get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
My name is Kristen Collins and I am a 31 year old mother of 3 and wife.
Where are you from?
The Greatest state there is! Texas! I was born in Humble but raised in Llano, Texas until I married my best friend at 17, then we moved to his hometown up the road, San Saba, Texas.
A little about yourself (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
I'm a Native Texan, born and raised close to the heart of the great Lone Star State. I was born in January of ‘89 and was able to grow up during a great time. I honestly don’t consider myself a Millennial, and really dislike that title. I'm a part-time secretary and a full-time mother and wife, as well as a Lupus Warrior.
Having Lupus means living my life indoors, and the sun is my arch-nemesis, my personal kryptonite. I want to leave a legacy behind, something my kids could one day look back on and say, “yeah, my mom did that!”
Thanks to the encouragement of friends and family, I found a passion for writing paranormal romance books. Anything in the realm of fantasy usually suits my novels and tends to be able to reach a large audience in multiple genres. Most of my story ideas come to me in the most unexpected times and places, such as my dreams. They will plague me nonstop until I sit down and write it out.
I like to explore new types of characters such as Sandmen and Boogeymen, for example. I enjoy creating all the facets of their own worlds, such as in A Sandman’s Forbidden Love.
God has blessed me with a success that I never imagined was possible, which allows me the freedom to explore and create with intense focus in paranormal fiction. Now, I know Shifters aren’t real but Angels are another story. So Angels are also a part of my focus and research. I will often sit on the computer doing extensive research on both Sandmen and Angels, trying to learn as much as possible about them.
In addition to fiction, I create Art Journals that are cross-generational from thirteen to ninety years young. My goal, with these types of books, is to reach people who need that extra encouragement and quiet reflective stillness that journaling can bring into their lives.
Tell us your latest news.
I am currently working on edits of my soon to be the newest release, book four of the Hybrid Love Anthology Throne of Storms & Ashes. Then I will be working on a Standalone in that series that‘s for children of middle school age and up, Monsters Under The Bed. Then I plan on working more on my Untold Series Novelettes, they are flipbooks about women of the Bible and their stories from their perspectives. I also have a 3rd series that I have two more books till it’s completed. The Elsewhere Series, Down The Rabbit Hole and Goldilocks are out and available on Barnes and Nobles and Amazon. Legend of Red is the third book in that series, I’m hoping to release it in Spring of 2021.
When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote my first book in 2016, I wrote A Sandman’s Forbidden Love and Grimm Love at the same time, completing them both in a month’s time. I was pretty depressed with what I had accomplished in my life up to that point, aside from being a mom and wife, which I love and am grateful for in this life. Family is everything to me. I had felt like I wasn’t someone they could be proud of or worth bragging about? I know that sounds silly but my books gave me something tangible to point to.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think for myself, when I started getting reviews and even readers reaching out to me whether it was through Facebook or by email. That’s when I knew that I was doing something worth wild.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Like I mentioned before, I have Lupus and have had it since I was five years old. When I first started writing A Sandman’s Forbidden Love, I was very ill. I could barely stand much less stay awake during the day because the fatigue was so strong. I had become bored with Netflix binging and I had these same dreams plaguing me over and over, again and again, nightly. So I decided to put fingers to a keyboard and start typing it out, before I knew it in a month’s time I had two rough drafts of books completed and ready for an editor.
How did you come up with the title?
Actually, it’s really funny that I got this question. You know those book-name-generator games on Facebook, especially in release parties. Well, ironically that’s how I came up with the last title in the series.
Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
Nope. How I write is from what I have learned through other authors by studying them.
How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
All my books have some kind of experience from my life in it. I don’t believe my stories would be half as good as they are without the life experiences I have lived.
To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
I wish! A Sandman’s Forbidden Love takes place in another realm, two actually that are created from my own mind. Grimm Love takes place mostly in Ouray, Colorado and The Child with Silver Eyes takes place in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. I had to do quite a bit of research online and even a few people I met through the Internet to make sure I was pretty accurate with my small mountainside towns.
Who designed the covers & edits?
Rachel Olson from No Sweat Graphics has done all my covers except Throne of Storms & Ashes, which I won from Liz Himsworth at LKO Designs. My Editor is Suzette from My Write Hand VA, she’s the gal I go with these days when it comes to editing my books.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I think from within my books to my readers, whether in life or death that everyone can have their own happy ending.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favourite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
That’s hard to answer because I love so many Indie authors and the way they uniquely write their stories. Elisa Amore is my favorite author with her series The Touched Saga. I love the original and new spin she put on death angels and forbidden love, she is an inspiration to me and so many other Indie Authors out there.
Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Suzette and Rachel have been with me for years now and encourages me, they helped me whenever my career was threatened to be pulled apart into nothing.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do. I love writing; it’s a passion of mine that I enjoy thoroughly. I hope one day it will be all I do but until then I appreciate that I am able to do it at all.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nope, I think readers will be very excited to read it if they have been following the whole series because you get to know all the details from every forbidden hybrid’s perspective.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
It depends on which book of mine we are talking about… The Child With Silver Eyes, I would love for Jason Momoa to play the lead man, Hashke (pronounced Ash*Ke) A.K.A. Ash Stormcloud.
Any advice for other writers?
For all new writers, lean on the writing community, other Indie authors especially because they will be your support system and show you the way.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
As an author, I truly hope you enjoy and get lost in my stories! I want my books to be a means of an escape for nayone who reads them and I want you to fall in love with the same characters I have over the years.
What book are you reading now?
Currently, I am finishing up reading the Bible. I had a goal to read the entire Bible in a year and today I am 11 days away from accomplishing that goal!
Do you remember the first book you read?
The first books I remember truly picking out and reading on my own were The Green Rider by Kristen Britain and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowery
Do you have any hobbies?
Art is a hobby of mine, it led me to create 2 published art journals, The Follow Art Journal Series.
What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Anything supernatural, the whole paranormal fascinates me to no end. I enjoy other shows like The Walking Dead, The Masked Singer, NCIS, Coroner, The Good Witch, Virgin River, and V Wars, Prodigal Son, Criminal Minds and so on...
Favorite foods, colors, music?
Chinese food and wings! My favorite color is blue/green and I love Christian music by Hollyn, Casting Crowns, For King and Country, Mandisa and TobyMac
Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Just be a mother and wife, I can’t imagine anything else with my life after writing other than God and my family.
You only have 24 hours to live, how would you spend that time?
I would spend it wiht my husband and kiddos, fishing and camping and watching movies together. I would want ot make as many memories as possible with them.
My name is Kristen Collins and I am a 31 year old mother of 3 and wife.
Where are you from?
The Greatest state there is! Texas! I was born in Humble but raised in Llano, Texas until I married my best friend at 17, then we moved to his hometown up the road, San Saba, Texas.
A little about yourself (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
I'm a Native Texan, born and raised close to the heart of the great Lone Star State. I was born in January of ‘89 and was able to grow up during a great time. I honestly don’t consider myself a Millennial, and really dislike that title. I'm a part-time secretary and a full-time mother and wife, as well as a Lupus Warrior.
Having Lupus means living my life indoors, and the sun is my arch-nemesis, my personal kryptonite. I want to leave a legacy behind, something my kids could one day look back on and say, “yeah, my mom did that!”
Thanks to the encouragement of friends and family, I found a passion for writing paranormal romance books. Anything in the realm of fantasy usually suits my novels and tends to be able to reach a large audience in multiple genres. Most of my story ideas come to me in the most unexpected times and places, such as my dreams. They will plague me nonstop until I sit down and write it out.
I like to explore new types of characters such as Sandmen and Boogeymen, for example. I enjoy creating all the facets of their own worlds, such as in A Sandman’s Forbidden Love.
God has blessed me with a success that I never imagined was possible, which allows me the freedom to explore and create with intense focus in paranormal fiction. Now, I know Shifters aren’t real but Angels are another story. So Angels are also a part of my focus and research. I will often sit on the computer doing extensive research on both Sandmen and Angels, trying to learn as much as possible about them.
In addition to fiction, I create Art Journals that are cross-generational from thirteen to ninety years young. My goal, with these types of books, is to reach people who need that extra encouragement and quiet reflective stillness that journaling can bring into their lives.
Tell us your latest news.
I am currently working on edits of my soon to be the newest release, book four of the Hybrid Love Anthology Throne of Storms & Ashes. Then I will be working on a Standalone in that series that‘s for children of middle school age and up, Monsters Under The Bed. Then I plan on working more on my Untold Series Novelettes, they are flipbooks about women of the Bible and their stories from their perspectives. I also have a 3rd series that I have two more books till it’s completed. The Elsewhere Series, Down The Rabbit Hole and Goldilocks are out and available on Barnes and Nobles and Amazon. Legend of Red is the third book in that series, I’m hoping to release it in Spring of 2021.
When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote my first book in 2016, I wrote A Sandman’s Forbidden Love and Grimm Love at the same time, completing them both in a month’s time. I was pretty depressed with what I had accomplished in my life up to that point, aside from being a mom and wife, which I love and am grateful for in this life. Family is everything to me. I had felt like I wasn’t someone they could be proud of or worth bragging about? I know that sounds silly but my books gave me something tangible to point to.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think for myself, when I started getting reviews and even readers reaching out to me whether it was through Facebook or by email. That’s when I knew that I was doing something worth wild.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Like I mentioned before, I have Lupus and have had it since I was five years old. When I first started writing A Sandman’s Forbidden Love, I was very ill. I could barely stand much less stay awake during the day because the fatigue was so strong. I had become bored with Netflix binging and I had these same dreams plaguing me over and over, again and again, nightly. So I decided to put fingers to a keyboard and start typing it out, before I knew it in a month’s time I had two rough drafts of books completed and ready for an editor.
How did you come up with the title?
Actually, it’s really funny that I got this question. You know those book-name-generator games on Facebook, especially in release parties. Well, ironically that’s how I came up with the last title in the series.
Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
Nope. How I write is from what I have learned through other authors by studying them.
How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
All my books have some kind of experience from my life in it. I don’t believe my stories would be half as good as they are without the life experiences I have lived.
To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
I wish! A Sandman’s Forbidden Love takes place in another realm, two actually that are created from my own mind. Grimm Love takes place mostly in Ouray, Colorado and The Child with Silver Eyes takes place in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. I had to do quite a bit of research online and even a few people I met through the Internet to make sure I was pretty accurate with my small mountainside towns.
Who designed the covers & edits?
Rachel Olson from No Sweat Graphics has done all my covers except Throne of Storms & Ashes, which I won from Liz Himsworth at LKO Designs. My Editor is Suzette from My Write Hand VA, she’s the gal I go with these days when it comes to editing my books.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I think from within my books to my readers, whether in life or death that everyone can have their own happy ending.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favourite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
That’s hard to answer because I love so many Indie authors and the way they uniquely write their stories. Elisa Amore is my favorite author with her series The Touched Saga. I love the original and new spin she put on death angels and forbidden love, she is an inspiration to me and so many other Indie Authors out there.
Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Suzette and Rachel have been with me for years now and encourages me, they helped me whenever my career was threatened to be pulled apart into nothing.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do. I love writing; it’s a passion of mine that I enjoy thoroughly. I hope one day it will be all I do but until then I appreciate that I am able to do it at all.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nope, I think readers will be very excited to read it if they have been following the whole series because you get to know all the details from every forbidden hybrid’s perspective.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
It depends on which book of mine we are talking about… The Child With Silver Eyes, I would love for Jason Momoa to play the lead man, Hashke (pronounced Ash*Ke) A.K.A. Ash Stormcloud.
Any advice for other writers?
For all new writers, lean on the writing community, other Indie authors especially because they will be your support system and show you the way.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
As an author, I truly hope you enjoy and get lost in my stories! I want my books to be a means of an escape for nayone who reads them and I want you to fall in love with the same characters I have over the years.
What book are you reading now?
Currently, I am finishing up reading the Bible. I had a goal to read the entire Bible in a year and today I am 11 days away from accomplishing that goal!
Do you remember the first book you read?
The first books I remember truly picking out and reading on my own were The Green Rider by Kristen Britain and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowery
Do you have any hobbies?
Art is a hobby of mine, it led me to create 2 published art journals, The Follow Art Journal Series.
What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Anything supernatural, the whole paranormal fascinates me to no end. I enjoy other shows like The Walking Dead, The Masked Singer, NCIS, Coroner, The Good Witch, Virgin River, and V Wars, Prodigal Son, Criminal Minds and so on...
Favorite foods, colors, music?
Chinese food and wings! My favorite color is blue/green and I love Christian music by Hollyn, Casting Crowns, For King and Country, Mandisa and TobyMac
Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Just be a mother and wife, I can’t imagine anything else with my life after writing other than God and my family.
You only have 24 hours to live, how would you spend that time?
I would spend it wiht my husband and kiddos, fishing and camping and watching movies together. I would want ot make as many memories as possible with them.
Our eyes locked with one another and the rest of the room disappeared. I stalked towards him, placing a hand on his tight chest; he was muscular, and those thoughts made chills crawl up my back. I stepped backwards, feeling like prey caught in the predator’s eyesight.
It was a strange yet enticing feeling, a powerful feeling that bloomed from within me. In my life, every day, I was a powerless victim to my disease and it bullied and victimized me every second, taking the most precious things I could afford. Robbing me like a mugger in an alleyway on the streets of New York. In these fleeting moments of life, I don’t often get to feel this addicting power that women held, a power that comes from the soul of every fighter.
He grabbed my hand and brushed his lips softly across my knuckles as we bowed to each other, as was the manner to start the famous tango dance. We circled one another in the ritualistic way as we came together full circle and Derek wrapped his arm around my waist. I placed my hand on his shoulder as our free hands locked together.
The tango has been called the “Dance of Sorrow” as it represented frustrated love and human fatality, although originally the dance was not so deep and serious.
Our feet slid across the floor as our heads looked away from one another. A small voice in my conscience whispered, hurry and walk away; you could never be enough for someone like him. He’ll leave you once he finds out what’s wrong with you. You’re weak and pathetic. I avoided eye contact as I let the inner voice win, it was right, but I didn’t want to leave. The struggle inside grew
It was a strange yet enticing feeling, a powerful feeling that bloomed from within me. In my life, every day, I was a powerless victim to my disease and it bullied and victimized me every second, taking the most precious things I could afford. Robbing me like a mugger in an alleyway on the streets of New York. In these fleeting moments of life, I don’t often get to feel this addicting power that women held, a power that comes from the soul of every fighter.
He grabbed my hand and brushed his lips softly across my knuckles as we bowed to each other, as was the manner to start the famous tango dance. We circled one another in the ritualistic way as we came together full circle and Derek wrapped his arm around my waist. I placed my hand on his shoulder as our free hands locked together.
The tango has been called the “Dance of Sorrow” as it represented frustrated love and human fatality, although originally the dance was not so deep and serious.
Our feet slid across the floor as our heads looked away from one another. A small voice in my conscience whispered, hurry and walk away; you could never be enough for someone like him. He’ll leave you once he finds out what’s wrong with you. You’re weak and pathetic. I avoided eye contact as I let the inner voice win, it was right, but I didn’t want to leave. The struggle inside grew
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Having Lupus, means a life of inside living, and the sun is known as my arch-nemesis, my personal kryptonite. I wanted to leave a legacy behind, something my kids could one day look back on and say, yeah my mom did that.
Thanks to the encouragement of friends and family, I found a passion in writing paranormal romance books. Anything fantasy usually suits my novels and I tend to be able to reach anyone in multiple genres. Most of my story ideas come to me in the most unexpected time and places, such as my dreams. They will plague me non-stop until I get my rear up and write it out.
I like to explore new types of characters such as Sandmen and Boogeymen for example. I really wanted to give them their own world, such as A Sandman's Forbidden Love.
God has granted me success that I never imagined was possible., which led me to my obsession with the paranormal. Now, I know shifters aren't real but Angels are another story. So Angels are also a part of my obsession, I will sit on the computer doing extensive research on both Sandmen and Angels trying to get my facts straight.
Then, on the side, I create Art Journals that can be cross generational from thirteen to sixty years younger. My goal with these types of books is to reach people who need that extra feel good in their lives.
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ReplyDelete~ Author Kristen Collins
Love the book cover
ReplyDeletenice interview
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read
ReplyDeleteI have no questions for the author.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover!
ReplyDelete