THE HOWLING
HEART is Bostic’s second novel, and she has also published several short
stories—adult romances frequently with a supernatural twist. When she’s not
writing, she’s dreaming about one of her stories being made into a film,
playing computer games, or spending time with her family.
Q: Your book, THE
HOWLING HEART, features werewolves. How did you become interested in writing
about werewolves? Do you consider THE HOWLING HEART primarily a romance,
thriller, or ????
April Bostic: I
was inspired to write THE HOWLING HEART after watching the film “Blood and
Chocolate” and the television series “Wolf Lake”. I’ve always enjoyed
werewolves and shapeshifters, and these are two of my favorites because of how
the werewolves were portrayed. I decided to try my own take on werewolf
mythology when I wrote my book to see if I could create something unique that I’d
never heard or seen before. I’m also a hopeless romantic, so there was no
question in my mind that the book would primarily be a romance story.
Q: Fans and readers
of shape-shifters appreciate your approach to “a
different side of werewolves” and say it’s “not your typical werewolf story.”
How is THE HOWLING HEART different from a typical book on werewolves? What
makes it unique?
April Bostic: I think THE
HOWLING HEART is unique, because my werewolves are actually wolves that can
take human form instead of vice versa. They are born wolves and must sleep as
wolves. They have to learn how to take human form when they’re young. They are
not a wolf-human hybrid. Their origin is unique in that they’re descended from
a wolf in 13th century Scandinavia that was blessed by Norse gods
with the ability to take human form. The reason he was blessed is also unique,
because it began from a long-term bond and love for a human. I even think their
name---Varulv—is unusual. It’s the
Danish and Swedish translation for ‘werewolf’.
Q: How do you create
credibility for your werewolf characters? How do you engage readers to care
about them? Are there any rules for making a paranormal story credible? Or
perhaps it doesn’t matter?
April Bostic: I
think it’s important to make the main character relatable to some readers. I
also think it’s key to ground some of the story in reality. Authors of this
genre ask their readers to suspend disbelief, but I think there needs to be
some reality so it’s balanced. Otherwise, the story becomes too unbelievable
and over the top. That’s when some readers have a lot of questions because
things don’t make sense. I understand that some things in the paranormal
universe can defy logic, but again, there should be a balance where the author
explains how certain things are possible.
Q: Reviewers say they
“couldn’t put it down!” What makes them want to keep turning the page?
April Bostic: It’s
good a feeling to know I kept some readers engaged in the book. I hope they
couldn’t put it down, because they enjoyed my writing style, and that I wrote
enough action and suspense to keep them wondering “What’s going to happen next?”
Q: How helpful was
the setting (a small village) to telling your story? Would it have been the
same type of story if set in New York City, for example?
April Bostic:
Most Varulv live in small, isolated communities because it’s safer for them and humans. There aren’t any packs living in big cities because it
increases the risk of exposure and humans discovering their secret. Especially
with pups who really have no self-control. It’s not a good idea to let them
socialize with humans when they’re still learning to control their shifting.
Varulv live in close-knit packs so they can protect one another and elude
humans if the situation arises. I don’t think THE HOWLING HEART would’ve been as
effective if Paige discovered a pack in her city. The city is too familiar for
her. The setting had to put her out of her comfort zone to the point she feels
helpless and has to rely on werewolves to survive.
Q: Did you write THE
HOWLING HEART strictly to entertain, or did you embed a few messages in it?
April Bostic: I
don’t think I intentionally embedded any messages, but if anyone can take
something valuable from the story, then I think that’s wonderful. I wrote THE
HOWLING HEAERT to share with others and entertain those who enjoy a good
romance!
Q: Does the concept of “heroes vs villains”
apply to THE HOWLING HEART? How would you define an effective villain?
April Bostic: I
definitely think the conflict of heroes vs villains comes into play. With THE HOWLING HEART, Paige sees one
person as a villain who turns out is really not. The person who is the true
villain doesn’t reveal themselves until later. I think an effective villain is
to not make them obvious from the beginning. Make the villain intriguing for the
reader. Many characters in my book are not always who they seem to be. I also
made sure not to fall into the cliché of the male always being the hero and
rescuing the “damsel in distress”. There are moments when female characters
display very brave and heroic characteristics.
Q: Would you
recommend THE HOWLING HEART to those who do not typically read paranormal or
space-shifter literature? Why or why not?
April Bostic: I
would recommend my book to anyone who enjoys adult romances, because even
without the paranormal element, the story is mainly a romance. The fact that
there are werewolves and Norse gods doesn’t distract too much from the main
theme of the story. I don’t think the story is about werewolves; it’s about two
people who met as children and one of them fell in love and never stopped
wishing for them to be reunited so they could be together forever.
Q: What’s next? Will you be writing more
paranormal or romance novels?
April Bostic: I have an idea for another paranormal
romance novel, but it’s in the early stages. I’ve also been considering a
sequel to THE HOWLING HEART, because I feel there could be more story to tell
my readers. I haven’t published a book in two years, and it’s difficult to get
my creative juices flowing again. It takes a lot to motivate me to write, so I
really have to find something to give me the push I need.
Q: Tell us about
April Bostic. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
April Bostic: I’m
a big dreamer, and I find myself dream-casting my characters when I watch
movies and television programs. My mother is the only other person who does
this, because she’s read all my books. We like to choose different actors and
actresses and talk about why they’d be a good fit to play a certain character.
I think the main reason we do this is because we’d both love to see one of my
stories get adapted for film one day. I’d say that’s probably my biggest dream.
I think THE HOWLING HEART would make an amazing movie…with the right director
of course! When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me watching television,
spending time with my family, or playing computer games. I’m a very laid back
person.
About April
Bostic
April Bostic
is a New Jersey-based, Adult Romance author who enjoys unleashing her
creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books
inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008,
she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural
twist entitled "A Rose to the Fallen".
Her first short story, "Right
Here, Right Now", released in January 2012, is an erotic romance with a
dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a
romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled
"Eros, My Love", and a sexy romantic comedy entitled "Love
Addiction".
After five years, she released her
second novel, "The Howling Heart" in August 2013, a paranormal
romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods. To
end her busiest year in publishing, April also released her fourth short story
in December 2013, a historical paranormal romance entitled "A Dark
Scandal".
About
THE HOWLING HEART
Paige Donovan is an ambitious
college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s
climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion
magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after
news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies,
and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car
accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black
River.
Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.
Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.
Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.
Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.
Links
Thanks for interviewing me. The questions were fun!
ReplyDelete