Indie Author Interview with Lili St. Germain - Author of the Dark Romance / Romantic Suspense Seven Sons.
Lili St. Germain writes dark, disturbing romance. Her USA Today bestselling Gypsy Brothers series focuses on a morally bankrupt biker gang and the girl who seeks her vengeance upon them. Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it.
Interview with Lili St. Germain
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| Author Lili St. Germain |
Lili St. Germain: I've written stories since I was a young girl, and I was always getting in trouble for my vivid imagination! I studied creative writing at university, but it wasn't until I was on maternity leave with my daughter that I finally found the drive and determination to finish my first novel. I published Walking Dead Girl, a paranormal novel in 2013. In 2014 I published Seven Sons, the first book in a dark romance series called Gypsy Brothers. The book shot up the charts and I was approached by HarperCollins and asked to sign on with them after the book's success. Since then, I've published six more installments of the Gypsy Brothers series - a story of a morally corrupt biker gang and the young woman who seeks her revenge on them. I've also released one book of a trilogy through my publisher, called Cartel. Book 2 and 3 will be out late 2015 / mid-2016 respectively.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
Paullina Simons is my go-to writer, my idol. She writes so well, I want to quit. I hope one day I could write even half as good as her. The woman crafts such beautiful, compelling stories that suck you in from the very first word.
I also love Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs. I grew up on a steady diet of Christopher Pike books and I still go back to them when I'm feeling nostalgic.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
As soon as my teacher pinned my very first short story to the library wall in the second grade.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I sure do! It was a two-paragraph tale of a boy and his pet phone. Or maybe it was a girl. Anyway, there was definitely a pet phone in there. And possibly a haunted house. It was ground-breaking stuff, truly.
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I write best in the afternoons. I have an office I drive to every day, because I don't get any work down at home with a three-year old asking for my laptop to watch YouTube videos of people opening play-doh covered eggs with toys inside them (giggle it. It's a thing). My office is beautiful and quiet and when the road noise bothers me, I have noise-cancelling headphones that I blast my latest playlist through.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
I just got this really cool adjustable-height desk to alleviate my RSI. It's amazing! It's changed my life. I work in a beautiful old building with polished floorboards and a big window. Before I moved my work out of the home, I used to work crammed into a corner of our spare bedroom, but I much prefer this set-up.
"When the writing is flowing, life is great."
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
When the writing is flowing, life is great. When it's not, and you still have something due? It's hard. I also find the business side overwhelming sometimes. I dedicate 50% of my work day to marketing and admin, and the other half to writing, but even then I still run out of time every day.
"When my characters really speak to me, and I can feel what they feel."
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
When my characters really speak to me, and I can feel what they feel. It's amazing, and a little unnerving at the same time.
Lili, please tell us a little about your dark romance series, Gypsy Brothers.
Gypsy brothers is a story of revenge and redemption, of losing love and finding it again in the unlikeliest of places. It's the story of Juliette Portland, a young woman hell-bent on revenge. Six years ago, people she trusted - the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club - murdered her father and viciously attacked her, leaving her for dead. She survived, though, and has spent the past six years dreaming of vengeance upon Dornan Ross, her father's best friend and the man who betrayed both of them. To get into the club undetected, she undergoes a massive transformation with the aid of plastic surgery, and seduces Dornan to gain access to the inner workings of the Gypsy Brothers clubhouse. once there, she begins methodically killing off each of Dornan's sons to make him suffer as she suffered. A problem arises when she realizes she still has strong feelings for Dornan's youngest son, Jason - because Jase has no idea who she is. Torn between vengeance and love, Juliette has to make the ultimate decision between the two, or risk losing everything.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the series?
I wanted to do something different. I hadn't really seen a revenge story set int eh biker world, and certainly not one where the bikers are the enemy. I wanted to explore what happens when you drop a person into a place like that - how it changes them, what they'll do to survive. I'm also fascinated by revenge stories. Once I started writing, I couldn't stop. The series pretty much consumed me for a year, and here I am, still working on the spin-off series (a prequel trilogy of novels) for HarperCollins.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
The book is available from all e-tailers (the first book in the series, Seven Sons, is currently free - Click Here for FREE Download). People who enjoyed Sons of Anarchy would probably like Gypsy Brothers. It contains strong themes and violence, though, so it's definitely for people who don't mind their stories with some extra grit.
"I've written some very uncomfortable and graphic scenes [...]"
What makes your series different?
I think the fact that I've written some very uncomfortable and graphic scenes throughout the series. I'm pushing the envelope of what's acceptable and trying to find the limit. I very much enjoy shocking people and leaving them dangling with a cliffhanger. And the fact that the series is broken up into serial installments is something not many people were doing when I started out - HM Ward and Hugh Howey were two of the pioneers of modern serials, and I admired the way they released small books, but very frequently. I have enjoyed releasing and writing like this very much.
"To date, the series has sold almost a million copies [...]"
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
Phenomenal. I started out writing the first book in the series and thought I might sell a couple hundred copies if I was lucky. To date, the series has sold almost a million copies and is a USA Today and #1 iBooks Bestseller. It's spin-off series, the Cartel Trilogy (which is a prequel series and explores the beginnings of the Gypsy Brothers MC) is just going into its fourth reprint in paperback after it's release five months ago and made the USA Today list upon release.
How long did it take it to write the book?
The whole series took me a year. 2014 was Gypsy Brothers!
"Write what excites you!"
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
Write what excites you. Don't write filler or boring stuff. Write the stuff that makes you feel alive, that takes your breath away, that makes you cry. Forget the in-between stuff.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
At the moment I'm working on the second and thirds book in the Cartel trilogy, which is being released through Harper-Collins. Cartel is the story of Mariana Rodriguez, a young woman who is given to the Il Sangue drug cartel in exchange for her family's survival after her father owes a massive debt to the head of the cartel, Emilio Ross. She is destined to be sold as a slave until Emilio's son, Dornan, saves her from her fate. Their attraction is undeniable, but any relationship is forbidden between enemies. Love doesn't discriminate, though, and the two soon find themselves hiding a dangerous love that could end their lives if discovered.
"Ebooks are fabulous, but you can never replace the feeling of a real book in your hands."
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I don't think book stores will ever disappear, but I definitely see them evolving and changing to suit the times. I'd love to see libraries and bookstores in the same place - borrow used or buy new. I also love the idea of book cafes and I do think the big chains need to adapt quickly if they want to stay in business.
Ebooks are fabulous, but you can never replace the feeling of a real book in your hands. Physical books are much gentler on the eyes as well, which is why, when I can, I like to alternate between my e-reader and paperback copies.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I alternate between my iPad mini, my iPhone and a kindle.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I write full-time. Before I wrote full-time, I wrote at night and was a stay-at-home parent during the day.
How can readers connect with you?
I post on my website regularly, and that's stuff I don't usually put on Facebook. I'm on Facebook every day, so that's the place you're most likely to catch me! I also LOVE Instagram. It's such a positive, inspiring place when you follow people who do great things.
My website: www.lilisaintgermain.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lili-Saint-Germain/225567900945786
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lili_stgermain/
Thank you very much for the Interview, Lili.
About the Book Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers)
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
When Dornan Ross framed my father, he set into motion a series of events that could never be undone. My father was murdered by Dornan Ross and his sons when I was fifteen years old.
Before my father died, Dornan and his sons stole my innocence, branded my skin and in doing so, ensured that their lives would be prematurely cut short. That they would suffer.
I’ve just turned twenty-one, and I’m out for blood. I'm out for revenge.
But I didn't expect to fall for Jase, the youngest brother in the club.
I didn't expect that he would turn my world upside down, yank my heart out of my chest and ride away into the sunset with it.
Now, I'm faced with an impossible choice - Jase, or avenging my fathers death?
- "I really enjoyed this book. This is my first from Lili and won't be my last. It is heartbreaking reading what Julz went through but can u dressed with everything she lost that she would want revenge. With one down, can't wait to read what happens next" - Reader Review
Link to the Book
Link to the Paperback Seven Sons on Amazon
Link to the eBook Seven Sons on Amazon
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