Recently, I decided to help everyone discover new talents when it comes to paranormal romance books. A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to come across a new gem – a truly beautiful story – Primal Allure by H.F. Fortuna. Yet the most thrilling part is when I discovered it's not just the story that takes your breath away – it's also the author who has unique stories bleeding in her veins and a heart that beats to take you away to another world. So, here comes the interview with the author of Primal Allure. 

1. Hi Denise! Can you tell me a little about yourself? How did your writing journey begin? 

Well, ever since I was a kid, I loved to not only read but to make up my own stories. I remember my first story idea was called ‘Reality Arcade’ which I wrote in middle school. It was about two best friends who got sucked into an experimental virtual reality arcade game and ended up on opposite sides in a war between two species. I’d like to think my writing has significantly improved since then. In general, though, writing really picked up for me when I got into written roleplays. To me, it was like playing Dungeons and Dragons, but without the need for rolling dice. Also, the roleplays taught me how to make interactions between characters feel more natural as opposed to scripted, which is something readers have definitely noticed about my writing. 

 2. A lot of authors struggle with writing discipline and writer's blocks. How do you manage these issues? What keeps you motivated? 

It’s different for everyone. Some will bash their heads against the proverbial block until it breaks. Others will swap to something else. I am of the latter category. While I will try and keep the task related to the current WIP, I also won’t punish myself for going off and doing something else entirely. As for motivation, nothing inspires me more than feedback from readers, be it positive or negative. Because at the end of the day, I’m in this to share all these stories I’ve invented, and getting feedback means that I was successful and that there is a point to me continuing to share. 

3. I absolutely agree! Sometimes it feels like we – authors – live to breathe the feedbacks. In the end, every feedback makes us better. However, I’m curious. If you could travel back in time to give yourself a piece of advice – what would it be?

“Don’t wait”. My first book has been in the works for years. I could have finished it a long time ago, but when did I choose to finish it? During the first corona lockdown when all the other indie authors got the same idea. It’s a major issue of visibility since the market is hyper-saturated now, and getting my book out to as many readers as possible has become a real challenge. At the moment, the solution is to continue to add books to the series to make it more attractive to potential readers since most seem to be more invested in a series than a lone book. Also, the feeling of holding your published book physically in your hands is a feeling unlike any other, comparable and overtaken, perhaps only by holding your child for the first time.  

4. And I truly hope you will never give up on your books and writing. You're talented. Speaking of your books... Can you tell my blog readers about your book – Primal Allure? 

It’s meant as a soft introduction to a truly complex world, which will be presented in more depth in the books to come. I also wanted to do something I hadn’t seen in other books of the same genre in regards to werewolves, which have exploded in popularity in the last decade or so, and have been seriously overdone – in my opinion. Add in the suspense and danger of a mysterious killer and you get a story you can lose yourself in for a short while. 

5. I’ve read it, and I must admit – I can’t wait for this complex world to unravel. I won’t say any spoilers to the possible readers, but I must mention – I was pleasantly shocked how all the little details in your book were connected in the end. I loved it! What inspired you to write Primal Allure? It’s such a sweet yet steamy story. How did it start?

As I mentioned before, my writing hobby really took off when I started written roleplay, and that’s where the original story for Primal Allure came from. It was meant to be partially inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, and while our wolf is certainly big, he’s about as far from bad as you can get. While some of the aspects of the story ended up changed in the book version, much of it remains the same. It is also worth mentioning that Vivienne (our female main character) was mine, while Achak and the wolf belonged to my partner. 

 6. Will there be more series for this book? If so, could you tease us a little? 

Definitely! Though Vivienne, Achak and Cullo will no longer be the focus of the story as it moves along, they will certainly be involved in a lot of it, so we’ll be seeing them again for sure. Book 2 instead shifts focus to two characters who appeared in Primal Allure, and will be a male x male romance between a half-angel and an incubus. Titled ‘Sin & Survival’, there will be no lack of passion, but the pace will be significantly quicker and fraught with action and danger. It’s still being written, but I hope to publish it this fall!

7. Thrilling! I can't wait! Now, this makes me double-curious, haha. What are your favourite authors? And if you could become ANY fictional character for a day – who would you be?

Oh, I have several, spread throughout the various genres I enjoy. For paranormal romance, however, at the very top of my list is Larissa Ione. Innocent to the seductive pleasure of the genre, I stumbled randomly onto one of her books in the middle of the series and had no idea what I was reading. I was immediately hooked and gathered every book I could get my greedy little hands on. As for the choice of a fictional character for a day, I’d have to pick Jill Kismet, the main character of a series by another one of my favourite authors, Lilith Saintcrow. She’s an absolute badass, and I would absolutely love to spend an adrenaline-filled day kicking evil’s butt!

8. I'm incredibly grateful for this chance to have an interview with you. But there's one more question I want to ask. If you were given an opportunity to make a wish for your readers, knowing that it would definitely come true – what would it be? 

It may seem silly, but I’d wish for good health and wellbeing for them all. It is only when we have both that we can strive to live fulfilling lives, and can spend time doing the things we love, like read books and invent stories for others to enjoy! 

That's just so beautiful... I genuinely hope your wish comes true. Thank you so much for your time. I truly hope your journey brings you a lot of adventures, success and joy. Take care! Thank you so much for the interview!