Email author at- author.klspeer@gmail.com
Instagram- @author.klspeer
Tropes- enemies to lovers, one bed, reverse grumpy/sunshine, found family
Bones was born with the miraculous power to heal, but all her gift has brought is death. As a child, her older brother trained her to survive, and so survive she did. The blood on her hands will never wash off, she is broken and scarred in more ways than one, but she survived. After finally escaping the ruthless raiders who imprisoned her for twelve long years, Bones is haunted by her past and desperate for atonement. Freedom is short-lived, however, as the rumors of her abilities catch up to her. Dragged to the northwest mountain stronghold known as the Vault, Bones finds herself involuntarily drawn to the tight-knit crew who captured her, and the feelings she begins to develop for Trey, the heart of the crew, scare her more than all the horrors of her past. Bones struggles to maintain her distance, navigate her trauma, and deal with the new horrifying ways her healing powers are used to root out a budding revolution. As her defenses slowly break down, everything she believes about herself and the world is challenged, forcing her to confront the question: what are you surviving for?
_ – _ – _ – _ –
How long have you been writing and why did you start?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid. When my family got our first desktop computer in the late 90’s, I immediately started planning my first novel. I’ve always loved reading (I devoured books), and writing was something that felt as natural and instinctive as breathing. Since then I’ve started writing many different stories, but due to undiagnosed adhd struggled to finish any of them. My google docs is basically a book purgatory.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What gets you in the mood to write?
Art and music are my main inspirations, but anything can get me in the mood to write. I’m very rarely not in the mood to write.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What is your creative ‘process?’
Chaos mostly. I do my best story brainstorming in the shower and while doing the dishes. I leave myself voice memos when I get an idea, and usually (not always), I remember to give enough details so future me knows what the heck I was talking about. I create a lot of art from my story and if I’m ever stuck I often use that as inspiration. I have two little kids, a second grader and a 3 year old, so a lot of times I’m writing in small chunks throughout the day. When I need to get a lot of writing done, I have a homemade standing desk I rigged up to my treadmill. I put my noise-canceling headphones on, turn the treadmill on low, and write. That is my ideal writing scenario because something about the way my entire body is engaged and busy helps me focus.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
Who do you look up to most in this profession and why?
There are so many amazing authors I could mention, but here are a few: Patrick Rothfuss and the beautiful way he wields words, Brigid Kemmerer and her willingness to help other authors as much as she can, Sylvia Plath for writing with honest anguish about mental health, J.R.R. Tolkien for introducing me to epic fantasy, Louisa May Alcott for introducing me to strong heroines, and so many other indie authors I’ve met through this journey. Specifically, Elsa Portman and Trista Lindquist have always been willing to answer questions, rant about grammar, and offer encouragement and critique.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What’s one of your most recent five star books?
What Feeds the Lake by J.C. Hemstreet
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What is the most surprising thing about being an author?
Honestly, that people want to read my books! I’ve always written stories for myself, but it’s been really incredible to share these characters and see other people love them too. A very unexpected thing about being an author has been the community that my books have created. I’ve made so many friends through this and that’s been my favorite part.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What’s something unique about yourself or your writing?
I weave my own experiences with trauma and mental health struggles into my stories, because I decided a long time ago that I would rather make some people feel uncomfortable than let other people feel alone. My characters are flawed, and I explore dark themes, but there is always hope and humor.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What is your favorite candy?
There is this chocolate bar company called Tony’s Chocolonely that makes a dark milk chocolate pretzel toffee bar that is the only real-life candy that has compared to the Wonka chocolate described in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
Finish this sentence: “When she reached forward towards the doorknob ….
the shadow reached it first, holding the brass knob in an iron grip she could not break; a dark chuckle echoed ghosted down the back of her neck, and her skin prickled with warning.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
What is one of your exciting upcoming ideas/themes for a project you haven’t started yet?
I have a more paranormal series in the works set in the 1930’s that involves secret government agencies, monsters, insane asylums, and a woman who can see ghosts. There’s also a talking ghost cat. I’m very excited about it.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
Who is one of your favorite heroines and why?
Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. I related to her so much as a kid because I also had an insane imagination and was constantly dreaming.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
Who is one of your favorite villains and why?
The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. He’s alluring and magnetic but definitely still a villain. I love the complicated emotions he gave me.
ALL DONE!!!
_ – _ – _ – _ –
If you enjoyed this interview check out others like it here.
_ – _ – _ – _ –
If you’re a fantasy romance author who would like an exclusive interview, please sign up here
_ – _ – _ – _ –
To support another Indie author, please check out Cassie Swindon’s books. Her most recent is a fairy tale flip series for adults. The Phantom Ink is a beauty and the beast flip following Brody & Mora in an enchanted forest while dealing with a curses of thorns.
