Author Interview w/ Riana Lucas

Riana Lucas is actually a duo of writers who are best friends who go by the names Nichole and Angela in the real world.  Realizing that gobbling books like hungry caterpillars and then discussing them for hours at a time wasn’t fulfilling enough, the team decided to write their first book together.  The Deadly Flowers Series was born out of a kernel of an idea and has grown into a three book series—so far.  The two have realized their true calling in life and plan to make a career out of writing books with strong characters who evoke true emotion.

 

1.)    Can you share with us a little about yourself? Riana Lucas is the author of Poppy and Poppy:Awake, the first two books of The Deadly Flowers Series with a third untitled book from the series, due in June.

2.)    What was your favorite part of the book?  My favorite part of Poppy still makes me chuckle every time I read it.  She has just captured Holly, an enemy warrior and she begins to question her.  She keeps demanding answers, when Reed finally points out that maybe Holly would be more inclined to answer questions once Poppy takes the gag out of her mouth.

3.)    Who is your favorite author?  This has to be broken into two categories.  My favorite adult genre book author is Kim Harrison. Hands down.  My favorite YA author is Richelle Mead.  She’s awesome.

4.)    Any other books in the works? Future projects? The third book in the Deadly Flowers Series is due in June and a fourth book will be released later this year.  As for other stories, they are definitely in the works, but for now the focus is on finishing Poppy’s story.

5.)    Favorite snacks? Dove chocolates are a must.  Cheetos if you are looking for salty, but beware, it does turn your keyboard orange. J

6.)    What is something about you that most people don't know? And something that everyone seems to know about you?  Something that people don’t know is that Riana Lucas is actually a duo of two people, Nichole and Angela.  We took our kid’s name and smooshed them up so as to not favor one over the other.  Something that everyone seems to know?? I’m not sure.  They should know that we are never going to give up.

7.)    I feel it's important to have your children read at a young age. How does it feel when you see a young teen reading? I am excited for them.  It is important to use time constructively and whether they are reading a fantasy book or the newspaper it is enriching their minds and expanding their vocabulary.

8.)    Do you think you'll always stick to writing YA? Even though we are a duo and best friends, we have different tastes in what we read and what we would like to write.  I don’t think that it is out of the realm of possibility that we would expand our horizons, but it may be under a different pen name.

9.)    What's your most rewarding experience since getting published? Technically we are self published, but it is extremely rewarding to read the wonderful and well thought out reviews we have received on Amazon and on GoodReads about our books.  We never realized how our characters would affect some people and it is great that they took the time to tell us about it.