This month’s featured author is Erin Johnson.
Erin Johnson is a fairly new author that I found last year. I am so glad that I did. Ms. Johnson is a fabulous writer, and I will be a fan for the rest of her writing career. Spells and Caramels is her first and only series (for the time being). It’s a magnificent one. I love all the characters especially Imogen. If you haven’t checked out my reviews, they are down below. I hope that you take some time and read this series.
Are you ready for the interview? The questions are in three categories: personal life, writing style, and books/series.
Personal
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I’m a native of Tempe, Arizona and I love reading and writing—specifically anything fantasy and/or mystery. I’ve got two little pups I love—my lab Maggie, and my Jack Russel/Dashund, Henry. I’m a big fan of B movies and have seen quite a lot of them, and I love to travel (often with my sister). Japan, specifically Kyoto, is my favorite place that I’ve visited, but my favorite experience was attending a regency style ball in Bath, England during their Jane Austen Festival.
What made you want to become a writer?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I have a Dr. Seuss book called “My Book About Me” that asks a bunch of questions, including, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ I filled it in when I was 4, and even back then I wanted to be a writer…or a zookeeper, haha!
What book that you have read most influenced your life?
Probably the Harry Potter series, honestly. I started over winter break in high school and devoured the first four books in two weeks. I didn’t even go out with my friends so I could stay in and read them (and I had major FOMO back then, so that’s saying a lot). It made me excited to read and write again and has definitely laid a lot of the groundwork for the way I imagine magic works in my books.
Who is your favorite author?
I couldn’t pick!
What is the first book that made you cry?
I think it was Little Women.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
It’s an oldie but a goodie—I’d love to be able to fly.
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before (real or imaginary)?
I’d love to go to Mont St. Michel in France. It’s the inspiration for Bijou Mer, the capital of the Water Kingdom in my books.
Writing Style
Do you like music or silence?
Either silence or brain wave music that’s sort of new age and doesn’t have much of a tune.
Do you have goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
Definitely goals. I need deadlines. I’ve been writing 3,000 words a day. Next year, I’m trying for 5,000—we’ll see how that goes!
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
A little of both. I do a lot of outlining before I dive in, and during that phase, the characters do surprise me sometimes. But once I’ve outlined, I’ve pretty much got the reigns.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
If I’ve got a lot of other things going on, little tasks and errands, my writing just doesn’t happen, or it’s hard to concentrate, knowing I’ve got tons to do.
Are any of your characters based on real-life people or purely all imagination?
A bit of both. I’ve been inspired by some reality TV personalities, haha! But none of my characters are directly based on anyone I know in real life.
Book/Series
What is your favorite part of the Spells & Caramel series so far?
I’m really digging book 8, Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws, right now. It was a lot of fun to write—they’re at the beach a lot, and it has a happy feel overall.
Would you say that you are more like Imogen or Maple?
Hmm…I’m a mix of both. I’ve got Imogen’s awkwardness and some of her adventurousness. But I’m a little more reserved and tend to worry more like Maple.
How did you come up with the idea for the Spells & Caramels series?
I knew I was setting out to write cozy mysteries with magic and was watching a lot of Great British Bake Off at the time (I still am), so that inspired me to make Imogen a baker and gave me the idea for the contest in book one.
What project are you working on now?
I’m finishing up Spells & Caramels books 8 and starting to outline book 9 in the series. I’m also loosely brainstorming the next series I’ll start afterward, another cozy witch mystery one.
Do you have more Spells & Caramels books planned for 2019?
Definitely. There will be at least 10 books.
If you would like to check out my reviews for the Spells & Caramels Series, just click the fabulous newly updated cover.
The 8th book in the Spells and Caramels Series will be released on December 29th.
Sandy slaughter. An enchanting suspect. Can a magical baker protect her friends from a dangerous paradise?
Stranded on Badlands Island, Imogen Banks is driving herself crazy looking for her brother. So when the spell-casting baker’s friends suggest they escape for a luxurious dragon spa treatment, she doesn’t need a second invitation. But her hopes for coastal romance with Hank fall flat when a resort guest turns up roasted in the sand.
Suspecting murder, Imogen zeroes in on the town’s rumored “black widow” as a possible culprit. But when her friend falls for the beautiful woman despite the deadly track record, Imogen fears he’ll be the next victim to stay buried.
Can Imogen sift through the clues before the killer gives her one final treatment?
Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is the eighth book in the Spells and Caramels delightful paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like endearing heroines, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists, then you’ll love Erin Johnson’s magical whodunit.
Buy Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws to massage a new mystery today!
To learn more about Erin Johnson and her magically brilliant world of Spells & Caramels, check out these links:
I want to thank Erin Johnson for taking the time to answer my questions and for being my featured author this month. Also, I am so grateful that you created the wonderful world of Spells & Caramels. It is absolutely splendid!
Until the next time, happy reading!
When will the 10th book in the series be released?
Hi Julie. I only know that the book title is Batwings, Rings and Apron Strings