BooksChatter: ℚ Solace: Fae Warriors [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Gini Rifkin to talk about Solace (5 August 2015, The Wild Rose Press, Inc, 248 pages) a Romantic Sci-Fi Fantasy, book one of the Fae Warriors Trilogy.

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

Hello Gini, welcome to BooksChatter!

"Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog today. "

What was the inspiration for Solace?

"I have always pictured faeries as small fragile creatures sitting on flowers and riding on dragonflies. You know—sweet little things I must be careful not to step on in the garden.
Then I bought a Nene Thomas statue which depicts a beautiful female faerie dressed in armour and carrying a spear. She is riding a unicorn, and there is a snow leopard at their feet. I thought, what if there was a place where the Fae were full size, warrior trained, and employed by Mother Nature to look after the multiverse. I couldn’t get the idea out of my mind, and the Fae Warriors Trilogy was born."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I believe subconsciously we either have, or wish to have, the traits we put in our characters. I guess we live vicariously through them, just as we hope the readers will do. I’d sure like to be as brave, compassionate, and thin as my characters!"

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Solace - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The artist for my cover is the amazingly talented Debbie Taylor. Debbie went the extra mile to be sure she understood what I had in mind, then she ran with the idea and created a cover depicting a heroine who is beautiful, yet edgy, and a bit of a tough-girl. Her wings are battle ready, and she has an expression that is both mischievous and no nonsense. The reptile image in the background is scary as heck as the eye is morphing from human-like to lizard. I think it says it all, and the colours are eye-catching, and you get a good feel as to what the story is about."

Why should we read Solace and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"As with all of my books, Solace is full of adventure as well as romance. Even in my historicals, the characters get out there and do things, they don’t spend a lot of time at fancy balls and drinking tea. I think the Fae Warriors concept is unique with a Marvel comics flavour to it. In fact I think the trilogy would make a great graphic novel, or movie. We need more female super heroes."

Can you tell us something quirky about Solace, its story and characters?

"The trilogy features three sisters identical in every way other than the colour of their hair, their weapon of choice, and the type of man for which they’re looking. Their names, Solace, Bliss, and Portence are a complete mystery to me. Don’t have a clue where they came from, but guess my ethereal helpers were on the job that day."

Who would you recommend Solace to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I think anyone who enjoys a good love story and women who can hold their own during the action, in and out of bed, will find this book totally entertaining. Although my trilogy is probably listed as a sci/fi/fantasy there isn’t a lot of world building or an entire new vocabulary involved. The adventure takes place here on earth, so no trips to outer space, but there are great references to the wonders in the multiverse, and I’ve included a very lovable otherworldly companion animal named Noodge. And I must point out, the reptiles are not dragons, they’re lizards. I’ve always liked dragons, and couldn’t portray them as villains."

If you could / wished to turn Solace and the Fae Warriors series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Location should be in Colorado, and I could see Summer Glau as Solace. Loved her in Firefly and Serenity. And David Boreanaz (from Bones and Angel) as Tanner Jackson the hero. I’d love Zach Snyder or Joss Whedon as director."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I have stories published in Medieval, the Old West, and Victorian time periods. This is my first contemporary, which was surprising to both me and my editor, and a great deal of fun. I can’t control where my stories come from, I just go with it."

What is your writing process?

"I tried spending hours plotting, and I’ve dared to fly by the seat of my pants. Now I’m a hybrid combination of both. I have an outline and usually know the beginning and the end, but the story always seems to morph and take on a life of its own along the way. I push and struggle through the first draft, then when I know the characters better, re-write many many times fleshing everything out, the plot, the relationships, the mystery or adventure. I also do tons of research regardless of time period."

What is in store next?

"The next book in the trilogy is for the youngest triplet Bliss, which is the title of book two. The reptiles are still subversively plotting and killing-off humans, and although some loose ends are tied up, we won’t know who bankrolled the invasion until book three. In book two, Bliss is partnered up with Nate Calhoun who has a few surprises of his own. During her earth indoctrination classes, Bliss became fascinated with Comi-con, Anime, and superheroes. Nate is her Bruce Wayne—well-endowed in brains, body, and bank account."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"After my husband passed away, I moved to a little patch of land and took in abandoned farm animals. Precious, the angora goat, was my first rescue. She came from the Humane Society, and only had three feet, which were horribly over grown. She taught me patience and courage, and brought me much needed love and humour."