Author Spotlight with Alexis Duran and her newest book Curse of Salar

Thank you so much for stopping by today’s author spotlight with Alexis Duran. Today we will learn a little bit about Alexis as an author and get a sneak peak into her newest book Curse of Salar. Please leave any questions you might have for the author in the comments section. You can also reach out to Alexis at the links following the interview. I have included affiliate links in the post if you are inspired to buy the book and support the author and my blogging endeavors.

Curse of Salar by Alexis Duran

Purchase link: Amazon

First off, I want to thank Alexis for taking the time to answer these questions for me. Please feel free to leave any questions you may have in the comment section below!

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

What is the title of your newest or upcoming book?

Curse of Salar

What publisher is this book being published by?

Loose Id

What is the publication date?

1/5/2016

THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Alexis Duran was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. At the University of Oregon, her fascination with people and relationships led her to major in Sociology, but her main love has always been creative writing. She’s worked in museums, fashion, finance and film production. Her favorite job so far was inventorying the collection in a haunted Victorian Mansion. She is the author of the Masters and Mages and Edge of Night erotic m/m fantasy series. Her fiction has won several awards including the Rupert Hughes Award from the Maui Writers Conference. She lives with one dog and four and a half cats. She is currently working on the next Edge of Night novel and several other erotic novellas.

Can you give the readers a brief summary of Curse of Salar?

In the kingdom of Jahar, the rule of mages has been overthrown. Prince Dezra Luzan is held prisoners in the ancestral palace. In order to stay alive, he pretends to be a drug-addicted wastrel, trusting no one, not even his lovers.

What genre does it fall in?

Fantasy Romance

Will you share a few words about your latest book, other than the usual blurb?

Curse of Salar is a full length novel and I really enjoyed being able to delve deeper into the culture and mythology that drives the Masters and Mages storyline. This is one thing I really love about writing fantasy; the chance to build entirely new worlds and create these fascinating, flawed systems. In Curse of Salar, the political and religious backdrop play a key role in making the characters who they are and making their love for each other nearly impossible. Also, Curse features two new protagonists, but don’t worry, M’lan and Jamil do make an appearance!

Give us a little insight into your main characters! Who are they?

Having been held prisoner most of his life by the government that executed his parents, Prince Dezra is naturally rather prickly and suspicious. He’s a potentially dangerous mage but his captivity has prevented him from coming into his powers. He’s isolated and terribly lonely. When Captain Rayn Nevar comes into his life, he’s nearly helpless with lust for the man. Rayn Nevar is a soldier whose family was destroyed by the mages before they were overthrown. Dezra is his natural enemy, but there’s that whole lust thing eating away at Rayn’s common sense. Rayn can see past Dezra’s imperious shell to the lovable, lonely young man behind it, and it’s driving him crazy.

Will we be seeing these characters again any time soon? Is Curse of Salar part of a series?

Yes. It’s the third book in the Masters and Mages series, but it works as a stand alone.

Tell us a little bit about your writing style. When and where is your favorite time/place to write?

I get up early in the morning, stumble to my desk and write. I like to be creative before the mundane concerns and worries of the day begin to crowd my mind. Also, coming fresh off a dream often gives me rather wild ideas that my fully conscious mind might reject if I waited too long. I have an office that I’ve made pretty comfortable. I just wish I had a view of a forest or ocean (but then I’d probably get less work done).

What sort of book do you enjoy reading in your free time? What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?

I just finished Hunter of Demons, the first SPECTRE book by Jordan Hawk and I’m pretty pissed off. I’m not supposed to binge buy anymore, but what’s a reader to do? I love pretty much everything Jordan writes and so I should have known better. The story is great and I just love Gray, the drakul who’s taken up residence in the protagonist’s body

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? Have you held any interesting jobs while you worked on your books?

 I decided to be a writer in the second grade. I was fascinated with writing stories to go along with pictures and I adored stationary and fancy paper clips. (Still do). Reading has always been my main comfort activity since I first learned how, so becoming a writer seemed very natural. Do what you love and all that. In my quest to be a professional author I’ve successfully avoided having any sort of real career and have had a lot of odd jobs. I’ve worked in museums and currently work for the local opera company, which is great fodder for stories, let me tell you!

What does your writing process look like?

It’s not pretty. I write very messy first drafts. I hear a character’s voice, get an idea of setting and conflict and then just take off writing. I never outline or do much in the way of plotting until I’m well into the story. I’m a firm believer in riding that first wave of inspiration as far as it will take me. Then I have to go back and make sense out of things.

Why did you choose to write GLBTQ romance? Why not another genre?

I know this might sound a little cheesy, but honestly, gay romance picked me. I started writing these stories in my head when I was a pre-teen, thoroughly convinced I was alone in the world. I kept these stories to myself until well into adulthood, when I finally stumbled across the thriving world of m/m erotica. It was like my muse got a mega-shot of adrenaline. I’ve been wildly productive ever since. The stories just tumble out. I do write other genres, high and contemporary fantasies, but I’m most passionate about my romances.

One last questions…totally unrelated to books! I am a passionate foodie. Is there one thing in your pantry that you would be horrified for people to know that you eat?

I don’t think so. When I was a kid I used to eat Crisco (I’ve gotten over that pure fat craving, thank goodness). I think my most embarrassing food habit is that I rarely cook any more. My go-to food is canned refried beans and packaged tortillas. Instant protein!

Thank you so much for answering my questions. I think my readers will enjoy learning more about you! Good luck in your future writing!

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE AUTHOR:

Find out more about Alexis by visiting the author’s website. You can also check out her profile on Goodreads or follow on Facebook or Twitter.