Rituals & Runes Anthology presents Ariel Dawn Author Interview!

Rituals & Runes is the PERFECT escape to worlds filled with paranormal, romance, urban fantasy, and more! And you can get a sneak peek into one of the stories exclusive to the box set, Heaven Knows.

Check out this author's interview with Ariel Dawn to find out about her contribution!

Author: Ariel Dawn

Book: Heaven Knows

R&R: Thanks for being here today. We’re thrilled to talk about your story.

If you had to describe in three sentences what prompted the idea for your story, what would they be?

Ariel: Angels & Demons working together. Enemies To Lovers with some found family thrown in. We are more than meets the eye.

R&R: Awesome! It sounds like the perfect tangle that readers can get excited about. What makes your book different from others within its trope/genre?

Ariel: I tend to read a lot of paranormal romance, and while I see a lot of romances with humans and angels, or demons and humans, or even enemies to lovers, I find romances between angels and demons tend to be far less popular, and I’m intrigued by the idea of a demon falling for an angel, and an angel falling for the sinful demon.

R&R: Delicious! A story with such intensely opposite sides is so compelling.

What was the most enjoyable part of your world-building?

Ariel: Constructing my world of Heaven & Hell, and how they operate. How they are both two sides of the same coin, just framed differently.

R&R: What fun! Your world seems very well thought out and something readers can really dig into.

If you met your antagonist in real life, what would you do?

Ariel: I mean, Endor is pretty hot and intense, and you can’t help but be drawn to him so….I’d probably do some sketchy stuff to wind up in his clutches, no doubt.

R&R: Agreed. We wouldn’t do anything for a Klondike bar, but a book boyfriend? That’s another story!

In real life which character is most like your spouse/significant other/ normal type.

Ariel: I always like to say most of my leading men in my romances are 1% my husband. Endor is no different. While my husband is not tall, dark, and tattooed, Endor’s need for routine and order is something that I pulled from my husband- who is very organized and likes things a certain way.

R&R: Make us drool, why don’t you! LOL!

Which book out of those you have released are you most proud of and why? Choose a book from your published backlist that isn’t in the anthology.

Ariel: Oof, that is tough, but I’m going to have to go with In The Blood, which is technically my second book ever published, and the second book in my Forevermore series. I’m most proud of it, because it resonates well with a lot of people who love vampires, and not only am I just obsessed with the characters, I researched heavily what people wanted in a vampire book, and what they didn’t want.

I spent a good while collecting information from readers in and out of the genre, looking at other vampire literature and media that influenced me, and mixing all of that with my own ideas to produce what continues to be one of my most popular books. I’m also very proud of the characters who are not perfect by any means, but who constantly keep me on my toes, challenging me in new ways all the time. It will always hold a special place in my heart because I love it not just because I wrote it, but because I love it as a reader too. Ava & Cas will forever be my favorite OTP.

R&R: Very impressive and deep. Now we want to read it! My goodness.

What books do you have coming out that are not involved in the anthology?

Ariel: I have a lot! I have at least two more books coming out with the Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld series, and I have several series continuations coming out next year, including the sequel to Heaven Knows! I also have some co-writes coming out next year as well! It’s going to be a busy year!

R&R: Wonderful! Readers have so much to look forward to in Heaven Knows, and your other books.

Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or live in an un-haunted cottage?

Ariel: Unhaunted cottage probably. Being a witchy goddess who lives in the woods with a garden, lots of crystals, and endless servings of tea sounds LOVELY… Unless the ghosts that come with the haunted mansion are hot and lonely, of course. Then I might have to pull a Jenna Hellsing (check out Jenna and her smoking hot haunted house hotties in Voices In The Dark, my monster reverse harem!) and make some new friends.

R&R: Sexy and fun! Thanks again for joining Rituals and Runes Anthology authors today. Readers, please read on to find out more about Heaven Knows!

Blurb

When Heaven & Hell Collide

Hell-born demon Endor longs for a life beyond processing souls in Hell’s Admissions Department. He wants to stretch his wings and roam the earth as a Contractor Demon, to hold souls in the palm of his hand.

The days are endless in Heaven for Valory, an angel who dreams of the kind of romance she reads in the books she borrows, waiting for someone to sweep her off her feet.

When a lost soul comes between Heaven and Hell, Endor and Valory must put their differences aside and learn to work together all while fighting against their celestial duties…and their darkest desires.

Excerpt:

My fingers fidget with the pearls adorned on my ivory dress, and I catch Matthew sneaking a glance at me, which stupidly makes my heart skip a beat. Maybe this dress wasn’t a bad idea after all…

Then I feel it.

The shift in the air, like death is coming. The scent of fire and brimstone accompanies them, and as they walk through the room, I can’t help but gape at the sight of them.

I’ve never seen a demon before. Sure, I’ve heard stories, both when I was alive and being up here in Heaven, but I didn’t expect them to look so…human.

The woman is dressed in a tight red dress that hugs every curve of her body. Breasts that swell, giving the most ample cleavage and legs that look perfectly smooth. Her dark hair falls over her shoulders and coupled with the blood-red lip, she looks like a vampire from a romance novel rather than a demon.

Mercy strolls in with the other demon and my heart catches. His arm is around her waist, and she looks all too trusting, too comfortable with him. He’s tall, like the other demon, and has the same dark features. Black hair that is swept back to look oddly reminiscent of the Greaser styles men wore in the ’50s. His suit is well-tailored, though his jacket is draped over his free arm, and I take note of how his shirtsleeves are rolled up to the elbows.

His arm around Mercy boasts a full sleeve of tattoos and a well-defined bicep muscle, and I find myself wondering where his tattoos begin and end. My gaze travels upwards to meet him. He looks at me like he can see right through me, past my flesh and blood and right down to my soul. The realization is both terrifying and strangely…satisfying. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the weird onslaught of feeling, and focus on the task at hand.

I’m just out of sorts today, and I need to get back to square one.

“Roche, how lovely to see you again,” Matthew says as he motions for her to sit. Again? Does he know this demon?

“Uh-huh,” she says nonchalantly as she collapses in her office chair, crossing those long legs, swiveling back and forth.

“This is my associate, Endor. Endor, this is Matthew. He’s basically the angelic equivalent of me.”

I watch Matthew’s lips tighten and his shoulders tense.

“My job is of higher importance,” Matthew says sternly, and I don’t miss the smile that plays on Roche’s lips.

“So high and mighty you can’t even keep track of one little lost soul,” Roche taunts and I think this demon has quite a lot of nerve.

Matthew huffs and nods toward me. “Valory is more than a capable employee. I trust her with the utmost authority. Her error is the first. Unlike you, who has made several errors, mind you.”

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling Author Ariel Dawn grew up as an avid reader and is a creative soul.

Ariel writes plot-driven paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and reverse harem and hopes to venture into many other genres in the future. When she isn't writing, she can be found cosplaying, attending conventions, swimming with her mermaid tail, creating all sorts of artwork in her studio, or editing photos for her photography business. A self-professed geek and foodie, she loves hanging out with family and friends and playing video games and board games with her retro gamer husband.

Website and social media links

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/author/arieldawn

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/authorarieldawn

Bookbub:

http://www.bookbub.com/authors/ariel-dawn

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ArielDawn10

TikTok:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMe3cpPcq/

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