Author Interview with Tena Stetler

Interview by Sherry Perkins

Your covers are wonderful! Do you do them on your own or work with a designer? I work with Kris Norris on the covers for my books She understands me and produces the perfect cover every time. Could you talk about that collaborative process? I complete a questionnaire, find the models I want on the cover and background scene (usually on Depositphotos.com, then turn it over to her. And which comes first–the cover or the novel or do they evolve simultaneously? The book is written and contracted before the cover vision.

You’ve put some books on Audible. How did you navigate that? Very carefully. The first couple were tough, though the voice actor was ok. The third one was problematic (Don’t want to do there). Then I found Nikki Zakocs. She’s narrated Hidden Gypsy Magic, Chocolate Raspberry Magic and Charm Me Again, and will be doing my new release A Witch’s Quandary. She’s fantastic. Any advice for authors considering or new to Audible? Remember you get what you pay for and choose wisely.

Which do you enjoy most, writing series or standalone novels? Why choose? I love writing series. However, all of my books in the series can be read as standalone. In your experience, what are the pros and cons of each? With a series, the readers get to know & love your characters and can’t wait to find out what’s next. With a standalone, it’s one shot and on to the next. Which is your most successful series and why do you think it resonated so well with readers? I’ve been very lucky. Both my series are very popular. A Demon’s Witch Series is full of magic, mystery, and a wonderful cast of paranormal characters living in the normal world. Each book is set in a different place, new characters mingle with the old ones. My new release, A Witch’s Quandary, is the sixth in this series. In A Witch’s Journey, it’s all about wildlife rescue and rehab, the magical creatures who run and perform the services in the rescue and rehab and how their personal lives mix with their professional.

Living in the Rockies, wow! Do you find the Rockies experience inspires your writing process in general or more specifically, your style, themes and plots? There are so many opportunities for my muse to run wild in the Rockies. As a child there was always a unicorn, or vampire right around the next boulder. Fairies, demons or angels lurked in a grove of pine trees. Water sprites or nymphs sprung up in a rushing creek. I wrote about them all since I was a tween. As I grew up, I think the Rockies influenced my style and themes of my books. Several books are set in the Colorado Rockies, or the characters visit out west. The women in the early west had to be strong to survive, so my women characters always have strong attributes were ever they wind up. What’s your favorite Rockies vista or lifestyle memory? I love camping in the Rockies. My favorite vista would have to be Rocky Mountain National Park at the top of Trail Ridge Road. It’s breath-taking!

You clearly have a connection with animals in your personal life and in some of your novels. Do you find the inclusion of familiars helps move the plot along or better engages readers in your worlds? Oh, I definitely do. Everyone enjoys a familiar in the story to stir up things or be adorable or both. BTW, how do you spoil a parrot, guarantee long life for a turtle and keep all that dog hair off the furniture –asking for a friend! Spoiling a parrot is easy. Give them a lot of out of cage time and your attention, feed them good but nutritious food they love and let them ride on your shoulder while you create your next book. Long life for a turtle is something I have no idea. We feed her nutritious food, (ok, yeah, she gets spaghetti and meatballs – it’s her favorite once in a while). Give her plenty of out time, in the house, sunroom and outdoors under supervision of course. LOL. She’s thrived for over 55 years. Secret to keeping dog hair off the furniture, is not let the dog on the furniture and nitrite gloves (just a little damp.) Rubbing your hands with the gloves on over the furniture collects the dog hair like magic. LOL. All our companion animals are well trained and behaved as well as loved! They enjoy going camping and traveling with us in our RV.

BLURB FROM YOUR FEATURED BOOK:

A Broken Engagement leads to the discovery of stolen magic and malice in “A Witch’s Quandary” by Tena Stetler.

Gale’s engagement is off because she refuses to leave her thriving business in Ireland to follow Dillon to Scotland. Her family and friends are on the emerald isle. Yet, when Dillon returns with the whole story and asks for her help, she must follow her heart.

Becoming a Solicitor, then partner in the family law firm was never Dillon’s dream. Now it’s his nightmare. Called to Scotland, his father demands he take his rightful place in the firm or be disowned and disinherited. Something is terribly amiss in the firm and family.

During Gale and Dillon’s investigation, they discover the enforcer for the Demon Overlord is also delving into rumors the firm is acting illegally. Magic has been stolen, someone is being blackmailed, and a member of the Witch’s council is corrupt. If Gale and Dillon want a life together in Ireland, they have to unearth secrets threatening to destroy the firm and family in Scotland.

TENA’S BRIEF BIO:

Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award-winning paranormal romance with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home and is shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot, and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.

CONTACT TENA AT:

Website: https://www.tenastetler.com

Authors’ Secret’s Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/

My Say What Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author

Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler

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

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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/