Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Lindsay J Pryor
Hi Lindsay,
Welcome to Comet Babe's Books
Thank you so much for inviting me here, Jo. J
Can you tell us about The Blackthorn Series?
Blackthorn is a dark paranormal romance series set in an alternative reality, where humans are ruling the third species (vampires, lycans etc) with an iron fist. Book 1 drops you right into a catalytic point, so here’s the background:
When the third species resolved to openly proclaim their existence, an abundant number of humans were fearful for the safety of themselves and their families. Something had to be done.
A human-only Global Council was formed to define the new social structure and set up global laws in managing this. Cities, towns and villages were disbanded in place of ‘locales’. Every locale is made up of four bordered districts spanning out from the nucleus. Feared and discriminated against, it is in these impoverished and over-populated nuclei that the third species are forced to reside as second-class citizens until they provethemselves to be as low risk as they claim.
Unfortunately for them, whispers of vampire prophecies foretelling of the overthrowing of the human regime has not helped their plight. In fact, it’s only given the Global Council more reason to maintain divisions.
Blackthorn is the core of one such locale – a real melting pot for vampires, lycans and the humans they are forced to reside with. It is a subsequent hive of social unrest. This dystopian backdrop is the setting for intense forbidden romances – romances that will not only impact on the fate of humankind, but also on the fate of the third species who have spent far too long waiting for their time.
The first four books each focus on a different couple who are going to impact on the eventual future of this new order. As the series progresses, their stories become increasingly interwoven towards the final outcome.
Blackthorn is dark, highly sensual PNR, so certainly not for anyone who prefers a lighter read. The heroes are unashamedly alpha, their behaviour sometimes skirting close to the edge. My heroines can hold their own though – or will certainly come to! It’s a complex series with lots of twists and turns, so is best read in order.
An Amazon best-seller and regularly at number 1 in the Gothic Romance charts in the UK and US, Blackthorn has received a lot of accolade for it’s uniqueness. As a British PNR written in British English, it’s certainly in the minority.
Can you tell us about Blood Deep?
Blood Deep is the fourth book in the series, wherein you meet the final integral couple.
Here’s the blurb:
“Bad can feel good, Jessie. Bad can feel as good as it can get.”
The tattoos covering Eden Reece’s arm tell the tale of a con with an appetite for danger. Even so, arriving at The Circus – the criminal heart of Blackthorn – and demanding an audience with the notorious Pummel, is the sign of a death wish.
Jessie knows that Eden is trouble. Serious trouble. Held captive by Pummel, despite her powers, she also knows how dangerous a game Eden is playing. Yet she can’t ignore a connection far deeper than the physical spark between them – because Jessie has seen Eden before...
Jessie is the only one who can help Eden save those he loves. But as he uncovers her secrets one by one, he can’t ignore the emotions she stirs in him – feelings neither of them dare face. He risks death. If she trusts him, she risks a fate far worse.
As Pummel’s twisted plans become clear, there’s no doubt all hell risks breaking out in Blackthorn. With time running out, together Jessie and Eden might be the only ones who can stop it.
Within a week of Blood Shadows (the first book in the series) being released, it was requested and optioned by Relativity Media – which was extremely exciting. It lost out on a split vote, but I had some amazing feedback. I’ve always said though – and a lot of my readers say the same –that because of the complexity of the series and the interlinking storylines, especially as it progresses, it would be better presented as a TV series. I can’t see how it would ever be made into a film. It could never be done as a stand-alone, that’s for sure!
How old were you when you started writing?
My earliest memory of writing a book was when I was nine, which was a sci-fi adventure, but I was writing before then. I’ve never stopped writing since, grabbing whatever hours I could through my time at school, university and my past twenty years of teaching. It’s taken 30 years to get to this point, but I think if you’re passionate about something, you’ll work at it however long it takes.
Who are your favourite writers?
I have a real passion for the classics. Wuthering Heights, The Picture of Dorian Gray and, of course, Dracula are masterpieces. I also adore Shakespeare – no one writes dialogue like he did. But then I think there is a lot to be learned from the page-turning quality of James Patterson when it comes to pace. Roald Dahl was the master of story twists. I also adore Tolkien for his world-buildingand Stephen King for characterisation.
What books did you read as a child?
Oh, gosh, I always had my head in a book. I’m not sure where to start! From when I was very young, I think the stand-outs would be the Narnia Chronicles, particularly The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I also loved The Enchanted Woodand The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. Then it was The Worst Witch and The Hobbit. All the books I liked reading had fantasy or magical elements. I guess that’s why I naturally graduated towards writing within that genre. Reading for me is about escapism, and there’s no greater escapism than a whole other world.
Do you have a favourite place you like to write and why?
I love to write snuggled up in bed or on the sofa either with my notebook or laptop, depending on what stage of writing I’m at. Most of the time, I’m at my desk – which is an equally great place to work. My husband has spent sixteen years with post-it notes and bits of paper attached to his socks from me leaving trail around the house as ideas strike, so I try to keep to one room now. I have a study in the corner of the house that overlooks my woodland garden, which means I get to stare out of the window and bird watch whilst working through scenes. I love it.
Are any of your characters based on people you know?
No, never. None of my characters are inspired by real-life people in any way – even visually they’re not inspired by particular actors or actresses. They’re pure fiction through and through.
Do you have a support network for your writing?
I have a wonderful support network – all online and primarily consisting of my readers. Always having written in isolation, I’ve never belonged to writing groups or critique groups, so I didn’t bring that kind of support with me. I started off with a really small following of readers who’d read my work during the New Voices online writing competition (through which I was discovered by my publisher) and, since then, my support has grown month by month. I spend a lot of time talking to my readers, mainly via Facebook or privately via email – probably too much! But my readers are really important to me. I feel very lucky to have so many people passionate about my series.
Non book questions
Favourite holiday place?
As long as it’s quiet, warm and I have green space or ocean, I’m happy.
Favourite food?
I love Italian food, preferably veggie options.
What kind of music do you listen to?
30 Seconds to Mars, My Chemical Romance, Kings of Leon, Adam Lambert and Lady Gaga are regular background tunes. I also like 80’s soft rock and love belting out power ballads, despite my lack of musical prowess (i.e. tone deaf). A while ago, my readers helped me create a Blackthorn sound track and I discovered Imagine Dragons and Muse from their recommendations, so they’re on my list now too.
Favourite film?
Ah, I’m a total film addict so there’s no way I could pick out just one. My tastes are fairly eclectic as long as there’s an imaginative storyline or unique concept involved. I particularly like sci-fi, supernatural thrillers and psychological thrillers.I guess that shows in my writing!
Favourite Chocolate?
I love dark chocolate. Green and Black’s Maya Gold is ridiculously yummy. I also like Lindt dark chocolate.
Favourite drink?
I’m a coffee addict (which makes up for me always having been tea-total), but I also drink copious amounts of water.
Thanks for a great interview, I can't wait to read this series now.
Such a fabulous interview, I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Suus, I can't wait to read these books x
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