Check out this spotlight for Epic Romantic Fantasy author and artist Therena Carlin!

You can find all her links furthest down the page, and don’t forget to check out her books!

1. Hi! Welcome to my humble blog of all things bookish! I would like for us to start by getting to know you. Give us a short bio, please!

Therena lives with her husband and three children on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, Canada where she writes epic romantic fantasy novels and illustrates dark fantastical art. By day, she is a professional photographer, and by night she loves to vanish into the imaginary worlds which dwell in her mind. When not writing stories or drawing, she can be found reading romantic fantasy novels. On weekends, she enjoys playing D&D with friends or running a campaign for her family – the very campaign which inspired the backstory for Evie! She has been a professional artist since 2015 and adding writing to her repertoire was a natural evolution. She first penned her stories in 2000, though didn’t publish until 2022. Aside from writing epic romantic fantasy novels, she also just released her first photographic art book, GODDESS. Part of a series celebrating women in her art. The second book WITCHES & NIGHTMARES is scheduled to release in Fall 2022. Future plans include publishing art books featuring her illustrations and digital art as well as her poetry.

2. Tell us 5 fun facts people might not know about you!

♥ I fill my book, even my novel with lots of art, illustrated by myself.

♥ I am a total fantasy nerd and love all things dragons and magic. I grew up reading D&D books for fun.

♥ I collect art prints and postcards of my favourite novels! And I collect art books of my favourite artists. I may be running out of bookshelves…

♥ I love to wear all black, though I have lately introduced colour into my clothing palette in the form of dragon art on my t-shirts. I would totally be a goth, if putting on so much makeup wasn’t as much work.

♥ I love mythology, and as a child, my favourite books to peruse were Greek and Egyptian mythology and history books. ♥ I am a self-taught fantasy and character artist. I have illustrated a few book covers for other authors, as well as an anthology, and even ventured so far as to make a special edition hardcover version of my own novel with my own art!

3. To get to know you just a little bit better, I’d like to ask you some “This or That”-questions. Answer 5 of these and explain why you chose this or that, or maybe an entirely different alternative!

First person view OR third person view? Definitely 3rd. 1st feels too much like reading a diary and breaks the 4th wall for me >.<

Standalone OR series? Both.

Read multiple books OR one at a time? One at a time…through the night, then possibly start the next if my eyes aren’t burning beyond recovery…

Plot driven OR character driven? Both. I definitely need an elaborate plot and world building, but I love my characters pulling me through the world.

Zombies OR dragons? Definitely Dragons

Witches OR vampires? Witches

Shop at an actual bookstore OR shop books online? Yes – just gimme the books. But there is nothing like a real book store – the sights, smells, textures…

Hero OR anti-hero? I love not perfect heroes, flawed characters that have something to overcome.

Music while reading OR silence? Music…all the time.

4. When you look for books to read, what trope, theme, or type of story will always catch your attention?

Fantasy – all things fantasy. But especially fantasy romance. And anything dragons shifters.

5. If you were to describe your writing style using 3 words, what would they be?

Dark, poetic, emotional.

6. So what do you write? Tell us a bit more about your chosen genre, style and ongoing projects/WIPs/series!

I write epic/high fantasy romance series, with my debut novel releasing November 1st 2022. I love building large elaborate and lore rich worlds for my characters to live in and explore. My book has very similar vibes as S.J Maas’ Throne of Glass series, with morally grey characters, as well as both extreme good and evil and epic journeys akin to Lord of the Rings.

While I will only have one book released this year, I have written 5 epic length novels in the world which will eventually become a part of the overarching story and world. Similar to the MCU.

I love taking my characters through the impossible, with underlying themes like soulmates, found family, and self-discovery heavily weaved within my words. While things may appear hopeless at times, I do love happily ever afters – eventually. But my characters sure have to fight for them!

7. What is your most recent release? Give us a short presentation, cover, and a link for where to buy it!

Star Found, will be released November  1st, 2022 at all retailers. (Wide) in all formats.

Blurb:

The Celestials want her dead. The Demons would kill to have her. Only he can protect her from both—but can he save her from herself?

***

A fallen star’s magic rips Evie from her family, revealing the dark secrets of her true bloodline. As if being mistaken as a dark elf isn’t enough, she finds out she is an Infernal—a half-celestial demon. She is the key to the Tri-realms, and the very thing that may tip the scales of the Eternal War between the Celestials and Demons. Both are on the hunt for her blood.

Her goddess demands that she go to the Abyss to save her father. In a race against time and while battling her own growing power, she must risk everything to do what is right. But doing what is right just might mean losing the man she has come to love.

***

Cain thrives in darkness. As a demonkin—a half-demon—the world hates him, and violence follows him. Never backing from a fight, he embraces his reality. With every battle, he relishes the strength he gains. The day will come when he faces the demon who had hurt his mother—and this time he will kill him.

When the fates interfere and place Evie in his destructive path, he cannot refuse the need to protect her and save her. Nor can he fight the desire she stirs in his heart and soul. Never had anyone accepted him for who he was without compromise. But she comes with the unreasonable demands of a goddess he had long since turned his back on and sworn to never let into his life again. Now he must choose between getting his revenge and ignoring the goddess’ demands or losing Evie forever.

***

Star Found is an epic romantic fantasy adventure of two people finding themselves in a world that hates them simply for being born. They must learn to trust each other and rely on one another to overcome the odds and face not only the monstrous demons of the Abyss, but also the demons of their pasts. If they don’t, the fate of not only their hearts, but also the entire realm is at stake.

If you love books about outcasts finding their place in the world, soulmates, redemption, and forbidden love with broody heroes and shy heroines who fight side-by side to save the world, you will love Star Found!

Immerse yourself in the world of the Tri-realms! A high epic fantasy world filled with monsters, magic, a sword fight or two, and swoon-worthy steamy romance.

IMPORTANT: THIS NOVEL CONTAINS MATURE SUBJECT-MATTER INTENDED FOR ADULT AUDIENCES.

8. Last but not least: where can we find you? Drop those links!

Instagram: Https://www.Instagram.com/therena_author

Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/therenawrites

Website: Https://www.authorTherena.com

Newsletter: Https://www.authorTherena.com/newsletter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22329966.Therena_Carlin

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/therena-carlin

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/therena

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/therenacarlin/