We chat with author Danielle L. Jensen about A Curse Carved in Bone, which follows a shield maiden who fights to break the shackles of prophecy—and to overcome the betrayal of the man who broke her heart. PLUS take a peek at an excerpt at the end of the interview!
Hi, Danielle! Welcome back! It’s been six(!) years since we last spoke for Dark Shores. How have you been and what have you been up to?
It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since Dark Shores released, but it’s fitting that we are reuniting now with the last book in that series coming out in August! While the Dark Shores series has been a priority for me, I’ve also ventured into the adult fantasy romance space with the Bridge Kingdom series and the Saga of the Unfated, with more novels in the works!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
For as long as I can remember, I have created stories in my head. As a child, I loved writing them down and won many a writing contest, but I didn’t grow up wanting to be a novelist. My first career is in finance, and it wasn’t until I was well into my twenties that I returned to writing. At first, it was a hobby, but then it became an obsession, and the rest is history!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The one that made you want to become an author: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
A Curse Carved in Bone is the second installment in your Saga of the Unfated duology and it’s out May 13th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Angry. Spicy. Mythological. Thrilling. Shocking.
For those who haven’t picked up A Fate Inked in Blood, what can they expect?
A Fate Inked in Blood is a Norse-inspired fantasy romance duology, which means that the names of the gods will be familiar to most readers! While there is a very forbidden and spicy romance between Freya and Bjorn, it’s very much a story about feminine rage and Freya deciding who she wants to be.
And for those who have, what’s to come?
Freya has suffered so many betrayals from nearly every person in her life, which have pushed her into a place where she is feeling very unforgiving. Her rage, and what she chooses to do with it, is very much at the center of the plot, but she’s also facing higher stakes and formidable villains.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?
I enjoy writing the characters who make life challenging for my main characters, and I’ve always loved writing Snorri (Bjorn’s father), as well as his wife, Ylva. Ylva, in particular, is an individual with many dimensions, and I really love scenes where she is on the page.
Did you face any challenges with the sequel? How did you overcome them?
For me, the biggest challenge for a sequel is elevating every aspect of the story, from the romance to the spice to the adventure. Everything needs to be more than the first instalment, because readers are going into it with expectations.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working editorial for the last Bridge Kingdom novel, but I also have a new series in the works. I can’t say too much right now, but expect announcements later this year!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I’m very fortunate that I often get to read novels before they release, but I am looking forward to picking up Katabasis by R. F Kuang and Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan.
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