Dear Erin, thank you so much for letting me interview you for my website. At the beginning of this year, I got a DM from you on Instagram asking if I wanted to ARC read your debut novel; a romantasy with an enemies to lovers trope. I had been gradually getting back in the Fantasy / Romantasy genre and really wanted to give it a try; So, I did and it did not disappoint.
Your first novel “The Queen’s Card’ was released on the 24th of February. I’m curious to know how the idea take place?
I grew up on the Sleeping Beauty Disney movie, but my favorite character was always Merryweather. I think she’s the real hero of that story, because she was able to use the gift she was about to bestow on the princess to soften Maleficent’s curse. With her in mind, I asked myself: what if Merryweather was the main character in the story, and if so, who would be the least likely love interest? I came up with Diablo, Maleficent’s raven. That’s how The Queen’s Card was born.
Some authors get inspiration while reading other novels, did you find inspiration through other books apart from sleeping beauty.
Absolutely! Two novels from Stephanie Garber come to mind: Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart. Not only did her novels pull me out of a reading slump, but the whimsy and originality in her worldbuilding is a feeling I aspire to create in my own books. Plus, I couldn’t stop thinking about the potential in Garber’s Deck of Destiny, which inspired the tarot card aspect of The Queen’s Card.
Can you describe the first book in 5 words?
Swoony fairytale with a twist (that was harder than I thought it would be!)
What part of ‘The queen’s card’ was your favorite to write? There was something in the book that made me chuckle; the part where the one known as the Raven kidnaps Mira and she gets taken into a tree house… A bird in a bird house. *chuckle*
Those were my favorite scenes to write! I write chronologically, and I distinctly remember getting so excited in my drafting phase to get to those chapters where Mira is in his treehouse and how annoyed he gets of her antics. Their banter lived in my head long before I got to the point of writing those chapters.
How do you pronounce Bael? In tend to say Bale (bayle) or is it Ba-el?
Good question! I pronounce it ‘Bayle’ as in rhymes with trail or sale.
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Last month I had the opportunity to ARC read the second book and I can’t thank you enough for that because I really wanted to know how the story would unfold. The first book was dark and with a war and evil queen; the second was more a book necessary to let the story unfold, at least it was like that in my eyes. A book needed for an epic next one. I am curious, is the third book the last in this series?
Yes! I intend to bring the story to a close in the third book, where we’ll finally learn the truth about those pesky cards and why they’re wreaking havoc.
The second book called ‘The king’s card’ will be released at the end of this month, people that have loved the first one will certainly love the second one.
Thank you, I hope so! It is a little slower plot wise than the first book, but I really wanted to focus on Mira and Bael falling in love for real – with no shadow mark or fake fae bargain influence.
Can you describe the second book in 5 words and tell us what your favorite thing to write about was?
When enemies fall in love for real (ah sorry that was seven words!)
Honestly, my favorite parts were the mushy moments, I loved peeling back Bael’s rigid exterior to pull out his softer side. Plus, all the forehead kisses are courtesy of my mom, who insisted book 2 needed more smooching.
what can you tell us about book three? I know it’ll be named ‘The Keeper’s card’ I can’t wait to read that one.
I want to stay true (in some sense) to the ending of Sleeping Beauty, to where it’s a satisfying ending to the fairytale aspect for readers, but I confess, I’m going to make it hurt for Mira & Bael. Plus, the third book will certainly have more action than the second.
Most writers were once obsessed with reading, what is your all-time favorite book or series and by who is it?
This is true for me too, although reading looks a bit different for me these days (I can’t live without audiobooks!). This is SO HARD, but I would have to say my all-time favorite series is the Air Awakens series by Elise Kova. A close second is the Black Mage series by Rachel E. Carter. Both are phenomenally written series with immersive worlds and heroines with the odds stacked against them.
I have to say that I’m very curious about the books you’ll write in the future. One thing it for sure; I will keep following you on Instagram to keep up with what comes next and I will keep cheering you on from the sidelines!
This means so much to me, I am honored that you gave my series a chance! I am anxious to share my next project once the Fairytale Tarot series concludes, but it’s still in the works. What I can share is that in December 2026, I’ll be releasing a winter-themed novella about Liam & Tabby’s love story!
In the Spotlight
Both of Erin’s books I’ve enjoyed reading and I wrote reviews on both. I’ll link them below.
The Queen’s Card
Mira has wanted to be a keeper for so long but has been sidelined by her sister telling her she’s just not ready yet. When Mira gets kidnapped by the Queen’s second in command everything changes. She gets to see all the lies and deceit she’s been fed for years; leaving only truth behind. She and the Queen’s second Bael will become alliances in taking out the queen and lifting some dreadfull curses, but will they succeed?
The King’s Card
Being exiled for helping your people, it’s ridiculous but sadly it’s Mira’s truth. Exiled from her home, but truthfully? Mira is relieved, finally that mask she has to wear can come off. Thankfully Bael has been waiting and takes her back to his home, the castle of Brevalin. She always thought Brevalin was the only kingdom living in peace; a quiet kingdom without any threats… She couldn’t be farther from the truth.