Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Lexi Ryan (These Twisted Bonds)!
Meet Lexi Ryan
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About the Book: These Twisted Bonds
In this thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestseller These Hollow Vows—the sexy, action-packed fantasy that started it all—Brie finds herself caught between two princes and two destinies while the future of the fae realm hangs in the balance.
After Abriella’s sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn’t get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making–loving two princes and trusting neither–things are not quite as clear as she once thought.
As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn’t even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don’t lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm–whether she likes it or not.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
The These Hollow Vows duology is my first YA fantasy series. I’ve been writing contemporary romance for years, but when I decided to write THESE HOLLOW VOWS and THESE TWISTED BONDS, I needed something different. The issues of the world were weighing pretty heavily on me, and I needed to write something where good triumphed over unthinkable evil.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love the cast of characters in this series so much, but Lark is my favorite. She’s a little girl who can see the future, and she’s this startling combination of adorable and creepy that makes me cackle. Kane is a close second. He’s super creepy looking with the horns and red eyes but he makes me laugh more than any other character.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
For book one, the novel came first. When I sold the book, the working title was THE PRINCESS THIEF, but the publisher didn’t think it was a good fit for a variety of reasons—it hinted at younger than the mature YA I’d written and sounded a little too much like all the other popular titles out there. I was reluctant to give it up, but when they sent me THESE HOLLOW VOWS as a suggestion, I had literal chills. It was perfect, and couldn’t say yes fast enough!
Book two was a little easier. We knew we wanted to play off the title from book one and THESE TWISTED BONDS hit all the right notes for me. I came up with it when I was about halfway through drafting it.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I love the scene where Brie and [character name redacted for spoilers] go to the Underworld. I love the idea of this treacherous place—a middle ground of sorts—where those brave enough to visit could meet with long-dead rulers. It was so fun to bring that to life.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I’ve been writing seriously most of my life but didn’t finish my first novel until 2005 or 2006. I’ve learned so much since those early days, and I probably take most of the knowledge for granted at this point. However, as someone who’s made a long-term career from writing, I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to celebrate the highs and not to read too much into the lows. It’s become a cliché to compare a career writing genre fiction to a rollercoaster ride, but it’s a cliché for a reason. It’s pretty accurate. Early on, I didn’t celebrate my wins nearly enough because I still wanted more, bigger wins. Now I know better and celebrate every victory in the best way I can. Some days that means a special dinner out with the family, and some days (because we have two kids and life gets really busy) it just means a glass of wine with my husband at the end of the night. Remembering what I’ve accomplished helps me get through the inevitable rough spots.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I love that the full wrap of the THESE TWISTED BONDS cover tells a story. There’s so much to read into all the little details—the lighting, the body language, the colors, everything. It’s a very special cover and I’m grateful to the cover artist, Luisa Preissler, for creating something so gorgeous to represent my book.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2022?
I have to pick two here. (Trust me. Even limiting myself to two is nearly impossible. I’m looking forward to so many books!) I can’t wait to read, THE FINAL GAMBIT by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, which is the conclusion to The Inheritance Games trilogy. Family secrets, a love triangle, a mysterious mansion with hidden rooms, and puzzles galore? So much to love! RUBY FEVER, the next book in Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series releases around the same time, and I’m dying to get my hands on it. I adore this series and will miss the family when it wraps up.
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I adored BOOK LOVERS by Emily Henry. It hit all the right enemies to lovers notes for me. I’m currently reading THE ATLAS SIX and it’s incredible! Not at all what I expected but in a good way. I’m so impressed that the author tells the story from six distinct points of view and manages to make the reader feel connected to each character.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’m currently writing the next book in my Orchid Valley contemporary romance series. The book is called EVERY CHANCE WITH YOU, and it will release in the fall. As for YA fantasy, I have something exciting in the works, but the details are still under wraps. I hope I can talk about it soon!
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
My advice is simple. Persist.
Whether you’re working on your first novel or your third, whether you’re querying agents or still learning story structure, it’s easy to feel like everything you want is just out of reach. Persistence is key. Remember that you’re not wasting time. With every book you write, you’ll be a better writer. You’ll read more and learn to analyze what works in your favorite books. There are very few true overnight success stories in this business, so keep going. Just because it feels difficult doesn’t mean you’re “not good enough” or “doing it wrong.” In fact, the more you know and learn, the harder writing can feel, but the more you read and write, the better you’ll get.
