Meet 'Fated Mates' Author, Brantwijn Serrah!
On the Fated Mates boxed set blog today is Author Brantwijn Serrah.
About the Author:
When she isn't visiting the worlds of immortals, demons, dragons and goblins, Brantwijn fills her time with artistic endeavors: sketching, painting, and working on graphic design. She can't handle coffee unless there's enough cream and sugar to make it a milkshake, but try and sweeten her tea and she will never forgive you. She moonlights as a futon for four lazy cats, loves tabletop role-play games, and can spend hours penciling naughty, sexy illustrations in her secret notebooks.
Brantwijn is the author of the Books of Blood and Fire, Chronicles of the Four Courts, and The Dark Roads Saga, as well as many short stories and novellas. She's also had short stories published in several small press anthologies. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or visit her at Strange Ways Station, her website at www.brantwijn.com.
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Author Interview
We had the privilege of asking Brantwijn a few questions about writing. Here's what she had to say:
If you could be a shifter what would you be and what would your partner be?
I go between wishing I could shift into a wolf, and wishing I could shift into a tiger. I'm a bit of a den mother to my circle of friends so I suppose wolf would be more accurate, but I adore big cats so I think tiger would be more of a wish fulfillment.
What inspired you to write?
I have just always enjoyed telling stories. I told stories to my friends at school, I told stories to my little brothers. I just love it. And I love knowing how readers feel when they read my stories. I've always said my dream as a writer is to know my readers enjoy my tales as much as I enjoy telling them.
What prompted you to write this book or series?
I had never heard of the reverse harem genre before! When I joined the Fated Mates set, I intended to submit a different story. Once I was introduced to the idea, though, I fell in love. I always enjoy writing stories about female characters finding or taking a strong sense of sexual agency and pursuing the relationships — both sexual and emotional — that make them truly happy. The chance to write about a woman at the head of a polyamorous unit was immensely satisfying, and I had to try my hand at it.
Favorite author who inspired you? Favorite book that inspired you?
I have very many authors who inspire me, including JK Rowling, Jennifer Roberson, Torie James, and Kresley Cole. Books by Torie James and Jim Butcher can always pull me out of a slump—I read a chapter or two of New Camelot or The Dresden Files and I feel refreshed and ready to write again. These two are also personally inspiring. I met Jim Butcher at a book signing once, and he was nothing but encouraging and excited to hear I wrote books as well, and wanted to publish. Torie James is a constant supporter and always there to lift me up when I feel discouraged or doubtful.
Here is more about Brantwijn's contribution to the Fated Mates boxed set.
About the Book
Elaina discovers a whole new world of myth, magic, and spiritualism when two beautiful shapeshifters rescue her from freezing to death in the Siberian snow. She soon learns her heroes are under attack by their own kind, and to protect them, she must become the first human in a thousand years to learn their wild magic, and issue a challenge to the alpha wolf himself.
Where to find Brantwijn online:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2He7b4o
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brantwijn
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Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/brantwijn-serrah
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HeI5Bm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brantwijn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brantwijn/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/brantwijn-serrah
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HeI5Bm
Read an excerpt from Leaving Tracks in the Snow
"How long has this all been going on?" she asked in a soft voice.
"Almost a year since Nikita issued Gavri his ultimatum," Kolya replied. "Drive me out or be driven out alongside me."
"Or die."
Rini spoke up, in a voice so tiny and shy they could almost have missed it entirely. The sweet little hare had taken a seat at the opposite end of the table, twisting her dirtied apron in both hands.
"I know neither of them wants to say it," she continued. "But they could die. The whole pack is against them, and as long as the pack keeps them under a blood hunt, the rest of us will be hard-pressed to aid them. For me, it's easy. I work for Mrs. Dvarok, really, and nobody can blame me for keeping her house impeccable despite the mess these two have made. For others, though..."
Elaina understood. Rini was talking about blacklisting. Ostracism from the tribe. She didn't seem to think many others in the oboroten family would extend their help to Gavri and Kolya, when the wolves had declared war.
What if Gavri wasn't there next time Nikita sent packmates to harass them? Or what if Nikita grew tired of Gavri's determination, or if Elaina's presence pushed his patience too far? She'd be gone in less than a week. What would happen to her two wolves then?
"Isn't there any way to convince Nikita to forget this grudge?" she asked. The steely glint in Gavri's eyes only grew sharper and Kolya shook his head.
"He's made it very clear. As long as he is alpha, he will not have me on tribal lands."
Less than a week left in Russia. But how could she walk away from them now?
She'd panicked when she saw the two strange wolves snapping and gnashing for her Kolya's throat. Her Kolya. And what fierce power she'd felt alongside Gavri when the intruders backed off, stunned by her sudden appearance in the fray.
Elaina reached out to stroke her fingers through Kolya's rich brown hair. He caught her hand and brought it to his cheek, nuzzling her palm.
"What is this thing between us?" she asked in a soft voice. She hadn't realized she meant to ask at all, and she couldn't help the quiet note of sorrow in the question.
Kolya leaned his head into her palm. "What do you mean, krasavitsa?"
Gavri came to stand beside them and Elaina took his hand with her free one. "I mean, this is more than a wild fling, isn't it? I keep telling myself I'm only on vacation, a really crazy pleasure cruise, and it's good because I needed to break away from all the things back home, weighing me down. I needed to be a little crazy and a little wild, with you. If it is just a little 'how Elaina got her groove back'... it's okay. But..."
Very, very gently, she touched the bandage on Kolya's nose. "I couldn't stand seeing those other wolves go after you, Kolya."
Switching her gaze to Gavri, who'd been so angry when she threw herself into the fight, she repeated, "I couldn't. So I just... acted on instinct. The two of you saved me, and I guess, after what we've shared... I think of you both as mine. My men. Even if it's only until I leave in a few days, I feel like what affects you, affects me."
Both men were silent. She tilted her face up to plant a kiss on Gavri's cheek, then wrapped her arms around Kolya to cradle his head against her belly.
"I don't like knowing anybody is out to hurt you. And if this—what we've shared these last few days—if it is only a fling, I can live with it, but if you two feel like, maybe, there's more to it..."
The men exchanged a glance. Gavri moved in closer to wrap his arms around both Elaina and Kolya, and Kolya gave a warm sigh, laying a hand on Elaina's hip.
"We are not human, Elaina," he said, almost apologetically. "And you are not like us. I would not call this a fling—"
"We've had our share of flings," Gavri put in.
"—but you, also, have a life and a world of your own we can't simply uproot, for our own desires."
"I want to stay," Elaina assured him. "And I can stay, at least a little longer, until I know you're both safe. I'm in no hurry to go back to anything else I left behind. I don't know what we might be in the long-term but for now, I want to stay. Will you let me stay, and help?"
Gavri shifted, resting his head on hers. "I'm not sure you can help, krasavitsa. This is our way."
"If you did," Kolya said. "It would have to be our way, as well."
"Then," Elaina vowed, "I will learn your ways."
"Almost a year since Nikita issued Gavri his ultimatum," Kolya replied. "Drive me out or be driven out alongside me."
"Or die."
Rini spoke up, in a voice so tiny and shy they could almost have missed it entirely. The sweet little hare had taken a seat at the opposite end of the table, twisting her dirtied apron in both hands.
"I know neither of them wants to say it," she continued. "But they could die. The whole pack is against them, and as long as the pack keeps them under a blood hunt, the rest of us will be hard-pressed to aid them. For me, it's easy. I work for Mrs. Dvarok, really, and nobody can blame me for keeping her house impeccable despite the mess these two have made. For others, though..."
Elaina understood. Rini was talking about blacklisting. Ostracism from the tribe. She didn't seem to think many others in the oboroten family would extend their help to Gavri and Kolya, when the wolves had declared war.
What if Gavri wasn't there next time Nikita sent packmates to harass them? Or what if Nikita grew tired of Gavri's determination, or if Elaina's presence pushed his patience too far? She'd be gone in less than a week. What would happen to her two wolves then?
"Isn't there any way to convince Nikita to forget this grudge?" she asked. The steely glint in Gavri's eyes only grew sharper and Kolya shook his head.
"He's made it very clear. As long as he is alpha, he will not have me on tribal lands."
Less than a week left in Russia. But how could she walk away from them now?
She'd panicked when she saw the two strange wolves snapping and gnashing for her Kolya's throat. Her Kolya. And what fierce power she'd felt alongside Gavri when the intruders backed off, stunned by her sudden appearance in the fray.
Elaina reached out to stroke her fingers through Kolya's rich brown hair. He caught her hand and brought it to his cheek, nuzzling her palm.
"What is this thing between us?" she asked in a soft voice. She hadn't realized she meant to ask at all, and she couldn't help the quiet note of sorrow in the question.
Kolya leaned his head into her palm. "What do you mean, krasavitsa?"
Gavri came to stand beside them and Elaina took his hand with her free one. "I mean, this is more than a wild fling, isn't it? I keep telling myself I'm only on vacation, a really crazy pleasure cruise, and it's good because I needed to break away from all the things back home, weighing me down. I needed to be a little crazy and a little wild, with you. If it is just a little 'how Elaina got her groove back'... it's okay. But..."
Very, very gently, she touched the bandage on Kolya's nose. "I couldn't stand seeing those other wolves go after you, Kolya."
Switching her gaze to Gavri, who'd been so angry when she threw herself into the fight, she repeated, "I couldn't. So I just... acted on instinct. The two of you saved me, and I guess, after what we've shared... I think of you both as mine. My men. Even if it's only until I leave in a few days, I feel like what affects you, affects me."
Both men were silent. She tilted her face up to plant a kiss on Gavri's cheek, then wrapped her arms around Kolya to cradle his head against her belly.
"I don't like knowing anybody is out to hurt you. And if this—what we've shared these last few days—if it is only a fling, I can live with it, but if you two feel like, maybe, there's more to it..."
The men exchanged a glance. Gavri moved in closer to wrap his arms around both Elaina and Kolya, and Kolya gave a warm sigh, laying a hand on Elaina's hip.
"We are not human, Elaina," he said, almost apologetically. "And you are not like us. I would not call this a fling—"
"We've had our share of flings," Gavri put in.
"—but you, also, have a life and a world of your own we can't simply uproot, for our own desires."
"I want to stay," Elaina assured him. "And I can stay, at least a little longer, until I know you're both safe. I'm in no hurry to go back to anything else I left behind. I don't know what we might be in the long-term but for now, I want to stay. Will you let me stay, and help?"
Gavri shifted, resting his head on hers. "I'm not sure you can help, krasavitsa. This is our way."
"If you did," Kolya said. "It would have to be our way, as well."
"Then," Elaina vowed, "I will learn your ways."
***
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