Break Out the Bubbly & the Dark Chocolate: Celebrating M.V. Freeman's Debut Novel INCANDESCENT

Debut Author M.V. Freeman

Hi Everyone! I'm very happy to interview my friend and fellow writer M.V. Freeman about her writing journey and her debut novel INCANDESCENT. I have had the privilege of reading this paranormal/urban fantasy romance in its infancy. And now it's a published book. Welcome to the Veranda, Mary. *Pop*Sizzle*Pour*Sipping champagne now!

Hello Christine, I am excited to be here! It is always a pleasure to spend time with you and I’m glad to say hey to everyone.

I've read this book in many different formats. Tell my readers a little about your debut novel. 

My book INCANDESCENT  is published by Crimson Romance and is available at all digital supported outlets (like Amazon and Barnes and Noble). Here's the blurb:

A gorgeous cover!

Some gifts are unwanted, and Laurie’s Hudson’s affinity for fire is one she hates. It has destroyed her relationship with her family and she has few friends. She’s fought hard to keep the fire inside suppressed, living a low key life as a bartender, until a brutal and charming man blows into her life.

Around Mikhail Petrov, her careful control disintegrates. She is at once drawn to his urbane, cool demeanor and irritated by his overbearing manner. Her options are taken away when he kidnaps her, forcing her into a fight she wants nothing to do with.

As she learns to survive, Laurie faces the hardest choice of all, her freedom or the destruction of the frustrating man she’s come to care for.

You know I love this story. I hope your new readers will, too. And that you get lots and lots of people clamoring for more of your stories. What is your favorite genre to write?  

I adore Urban Fantasy. That is my true love, and I like Romance. I tend to try to blend the two.  Although technically my current story could be considered a Paranormal, I bend the rules. This has gotten me into trouble, because either someone hates my story or loves it. There is no in-between. The bottom line is at the end of the story—I want a happy/satisfactory ending.

It's important to be true to your muse and your writing heart. The people who love your stories will want more. What do you read? What are your favorite genres? Who are your favorite authors? 

Oh, I read Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, YA, Historical and some contemporary. Of course, my favorite genres will always be Fantasy/Urban Fantasy.  I am not an author that avoids my genre because it inspires me. I wish I could read more than I do. Some of my favorite authors include but are not limited to—Anne Stuart, Ilona Andrews, Garth Nix, Stacia Kane and Moriah Densley. (I could go on and on).

I love Anne Stuart. She's a Goddess of Writing. And I also like reading my favorite genre to write as the books definitely inspire and uplift my own writing. What is your current project?

I am currently working on a sequel for my book INCANDESCENT.  I am tentatively titling it ILLUMINATION. It continues the story from book one, using two different main characters. Here is the current blurb:

In an effort to stop a war, Mina Tepes started one. Fleeing those among her own kind who want her dead, she turns to the one man who defended her as a child. She’ll risk it all to be with him, but she will have to learn to face her fears and mistakes but it may cost her the man she loves.

Mage Xander Fjordson is sworn to destroy Mina. Demoted for failure to contain a renegade Elemental, Xander is determined to regain his position and power. But he doesn't anticipate dealing with the Darkling, Mina. Now he faces a choice: help her and lose everything, or betray her and regain it all.

Sounds like a great continuation of the series. I can't wait to read it! Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

I get my stories from everywhere. I am constantly daydreaming, asking what if’s. Some of my ideas actually are based from dreams. My current book came from watching the movie “Eastern Promises”.  I also have friends that inspire me, just by talking to them (looks at Christine).  

We do a lot of bouncing around of ideas, don't we? And that's the fun part of building the stories. Now that you're published, what encouragement can you give writers who face rejection?  

This is hard. Rejection sucks no matter what, when, where, or why. It’s never easy. We ALL get rejections no matter what we do in our lives (writing, day job, school, relationships). I wish I could tell you great things. I’d say have a moment of despair, eat some chocolate, call your closest friend, and then get back up. Keep going. You will get there.

One of my favorite quotes:   “No means not yet.” by Candice Accola.  Remember that. 

 I will remember that quote. A keeper and so true. What is the most difficult part about writing for you? 

Writing wise—specifically--dialogue tags, and dialogue. But, I think there is nothing that doesn’t make me have to work for it. Sometimes I *love* writing and sometimes I want to bang my head against the wall. I have to fight for it—and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

It's a challenging enterprise to tackle a story and wrestle it into shape. *grin* What is the most surprising thing you discovered after you received the call? 

That it seems so surrealistic. Then the business side of it kicks in. I knew it was coming, BUT the reality of it is quite sobering. The trick is balance. (Visualize me on a balance beam with one foot—I’m waving my arms.) I’ll get a hang of it. J

Hmmm. M.V. Freeman on a balance beam? I think you've got the hang of it for sure! Now it's time to go out there and walk the beam again. Write great books and market them, too. I'm so glad that I was part of this amazing journey with you. Best of luck in all that you do and in the future of the books. 

Thanks again, for letting me stop by.  I have one ebook that I would like to give away to one commentator.

You're very welcome, Mary! I hope that this is the beginning of a long and successful writing career. :-)

Author Bio: M.V. Freeman is a native of Minnesota, but calls North Alabama her home. She is a member of RWA, and the following romance chapters: Georgia Romance Writers, Southern Magic, and Heart of Dixie. By day her mind is filled with medical jargon at the local health clinic, but at night she finds herself exploring alternate worlds within our own. Heavily influenced by Slavic languages and culture, you will find she weaves these elements into her stories. Her award winning current story INCANDESCENT is the first in a series. She is currently working on the second book in the series while plotting another series. When she is not writing, she's reading, cooking, throwing around kettle bells, or making coffee. You can find her at  www.mvfreeman.com