We chat with author Callie Hart about Quicksilver, which is a highly addicting enemies-to-lovers Romantasy with razor-sharp banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance.
Hi, Callie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
For sure! Hi, my name is Callie Hart and I’m the author of Quicksilver, book 1 in the Fae & Alchemy series. I’m also the author of over forty other contemporary and dark romance novels. I’m originally from England, but I’ve been living in the United States for the past decade or so.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was really young, actually. I struggled concentrating in school, but I was obsessed with reading and storytelling, so my teachers encouraged me to explore creative writing. My real inspiration came from my Nana, though. She has such a great sense of humor. She and I used to write little lymmaricks or poems to each other, trying to make each other laugh. My love for writing poetry then turned to a love for short stories. I always wanted to write a book, but it took me a while to stump up the courage to give it a shot. It seemed like such a daunting task. I’m glad I made that leap, though!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Clan of the Cave Bear, Jean M. Auel
- The one that made you want to become an author: Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss
Your latest novel, Quicksilver, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Epic chemistry, magic and mayhem.
What can readers expect?
Quicksilver is the story of Saeris Fane, a human girl living in a desert city. She’s known hardship and suffering her whole life. As the sole caretaker of her brother, she has to steal to survive. One day, she steals something from the wrong person, and she finds herself dragged before the city’s immortal queen to face judgement. The Queen sentences her to death and charges her captain to carry out the execution. Just as Saeris is about to die, she inadvertently awakens a quicksilver portal, opening a gateway between realms that has been closed for over a thousand years.
When a dark-haired, handsome warrior appears through the quicksilver, she meets Kingfisher for the very first time and learns that the Fae are real, and all of the tales she was told as a child were true.
Kingfisher takes Saeris back to his realm (Yvelia) so that the injuries she’s sustained can be treated. Once there, Saeris finds herself ensnared in all manner of Fae Court politics, and caught in the riptide between two factions, who have been warring for millennia.
It’s an enemies-to-lovers tale, with lots of chemistry, banter, found family and a unique magic system that was so much fun to write!
Where did the inspiration for Quicksilver come from?
The characters just kind of took shape, and then wouldn’t leave me alone haha! Kingfisher and Saeris were the first two major components of the story that really came to me first, and then then rest of their story, their worlds, and the challenges they face followed after. I have always been fascinated by the concept of Alchemy and transmutation, so I knew I wanted to create a story that revolved around that at its center.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Writing Saeris and Kingfisher’s characters was so much fun because I had already spent so much time fleshing them out in my head that putting them down onto paper really made them come to life for me. Their connection and their relationship was just a joy to write as it unfolded.
Writing Carrion was a hilarious bonus. He’s just so sassy, and he acts so unpredictably most of the time. He brings levity to some really dark, otherwise very intense scenes.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Focus has always been such a hard one for me. I have trouble making sure I’m not getting distracted by 10 other things during my writing time, so I’ve learned now that I need to turn off the internet, have a clean desk, and do my best to clear my head of chatter before I sit down to write. Otherwise, I’ll procrastinate for ten hours and accomplish nothing!
What’s to come in the next installment in the Fae & Alchemy series?
I can’t even remotely begin to answer that question without spoilers, so I’m going to have to be very vague, I’m afraid. In book two, Saeris is coming to terms with her new reality. She’s intent on figuring out who she is now, after the events that took place at the end of Quicksilver.
Her relationship with Kingfisher deepens dramatically. We also learn an awful lot more about their friends, and the roles each of them play as the story unfolds…
What’s next for you?
Now that I’m putting the finishing touches on book two, I’ll be diving straight into book three. I’m absolutely addicted to the story, and I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be writing.
Once the initial trilogy is completed, I may take a moment to explore some screenwriting projects I’ve been sitting on. Screenwriting’s such a fun palate cleanser between novels. I find that switching between the two is a great way to stretch your legs and (hopefully) grow as a writer.
Other than that, I plan on taking a vacation at some point. No work allowed. I feel like I’ve been moving at light speed for the past year, and it would be great to take a break!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
Ohh, great question. I’m so excited for so many! I can’t wait to sink my teeth into ‘Bury our Bones in the Midnight Soil’ by V.E. Schwab. Their writing is just divine. Katabasis by R. F. Kuang also sounds spectacular.
