Long and Short Reviews welcomes Michelle M. Pillow whose latest book Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes, the first book in her new (Un)Lucky Valley series, was recently released.
Michelle’s first book was published in 2004. When she started she thought she would only write historical romance. She went to college to study history and still love it. Her first books were all historical romances and she told me “some of those manuscripts are still sitting in a cyber vault.”
After her first book, a Regency ghost story romance (The Mists of Midnight, now retitled Forget Me Not) was published, the editors contacted her because they wanted authors to fill out their Sci-Fi Romance list.
“I agreed but was convinced I was not a sci fi writer. I was a historical writer,” she said. “I laugh at younger me now. Though I still love them, historicals are no longer my passion. I do use history to infuse my worlds, though. Those first Sci- Fi books, Dragon Lords, a futuristic dragonshifter series, grew into the Quirlixen World collection with 34 books within 7 series installments and growing. I’m fortunate to have readers who follow me from genre to genre.”
Last year she released her first paranormal cozy mystery in the multi-author The Happily Everlasting Series. She has also recently released the first book in her new cozy mystery series, (Un)Lucky Valley: Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes. It was inspired by her love of garden gnomes and her desire to build a gnome village in her yard.
“I’m not sure the neighbors would like my plans, and so far my family has curbed the impulse…but someday…” she warned.
She’s about to start the next Warlocks MacGregor novel, book 6 – a fan favorite series filled with magic, mischief and kilts. The series involves Scottish warlocks living in modern day Wisconsin. Check it out here.
I asked her what her writing space was like.
“I’ve learned that deadlines don’t care if I’m not at home in my office. I can write anywhere and everywhere, and have, including while riding in a car, airports, hotels, parking lots, coffee shops, waiting rooms, my couch… Strangely, I’m rarely in my office. If I can bring a laptop with me, I’m probably sneaking in a few hours of writing time.
“I’m one of those Type A, work-a-holic personalities, so I’m always writing and working. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t do at least one work thing a day. When I’m on deadlines, it’s grueling hours (10-18 hrs) in front of the laptop. Hiney in chair, hands on keys. It’s the only way to push through and get it done.”
On the rare times when she isn’t writing, she loves trying new things and getting out of the house for an adventure. She has a degree in photography and she loves taking out her camera. She and her husband are also interested in film production. One day, she would love to publish a photography book and a travel book, but right now writing fiction keeps her pretty busy.
10. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
On those very rare times I am not writing, I love to try new things, and get out of the house for an adventure. I have a degree in photography, and I love taking out my camera. My husband and I are also interested in film production. I’d love to someday publish a photography book, and a travel book, but fiction writing keeps me pretty busy.
On a more personal note, I asked her to share her favorite (and least favorite) foods.
“I hate purple onions, mayo, and fish. I wish I liked fish, I really do. As to the others, so many potentially delicious dishes have been ruined by those two things.
“I love pasta. Chicken Parmesan, Fettucine Alfredo, Fettucine with Basil, Pine Nuts and sun-dried tomatoes… yum. I also have a strange, sometimes embarrassing love for a good chicken fried steak with cream gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, and a dinner roll. (can you tell I’ve ordered that at restaurants a lot?)”
“What is it about fantasy/science fiction that attracts you?” I wondered.
“Though I love the new cozy mysteries series I’ve started, I’m probably most known for my sci-fi and futuristic romances. I was recently recognized by RWA for having published a 100 romance titles. The majority of those would fall into the Sci Fi or Fantasy category—alternate reality romances, futuristic, sci fi, space opera.
“For me, I love the ability to imagine the future and build a universe that is uniquely mine. The possibilities are endless—so many planets, aliens, cultures, ships, technology, and histories. With Dragon Lords and Lords of the Var, I have two very different alien societies that have been at war for a long time. They live on the planet of Qurilixen. That’s how my futuristic multi-series, Qurilixen World was named.
“As the Dragon Lords and Var start to leave the planet, the series, Space Lords begins. This is more of a space opera romance with space pirates flying the high skies and trying, not very successfully to stay out of trouble.
“The ancestors of the Dragon Lords and Var use portals to travel to Earth to meet women in the Captured by a Dragon-Shifter series. They’re the same planet, only in modern day. Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides, also set in modern day, are basically alien invaders.
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“My newest sci fi futuristic romance, Space Lords: His Earth Maiden released in May.”
Former elite Federation soldier, now turned space pirate, Jackson Burke has done his best to turn his life around—for the better. He isn’t prepared when fate leaves a woman’s safety totally in his hands. Since heroes don’t leave a damsel in distress—and despite being outlaw pirates, the crew considers themselves the good guys—Jackson assumes responsibility for the beauty. It’s enough that his ship is held together by rust and sheer will, now he’s got to keep this good guy thing straight and not give into the urges the sassy female brings out in him. Raisa is everything a man could want and for some reason she seems to like him, rough edges and all, but he’s on the Federation’s wanted list and they aren’t known to back down.
Finally, I asked her, “What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?”
“There is no magic pill. You have to do the research and the work. Well, coffee is kind of like magic, and energy helps do the research, so maybe that’s my secret. Research everything—your book, marketing, promo, your genre—and think about the long-term goals, not just instant career gratification. That’s what separates career authors from hobbyists. Writing as a hobby is fine, if that’s what you want to do. If you want to be a professional, you just have to spend the time and study up. There is no magic formula or secret handshake. I so wish there was. You just have to put in the hours and do the work. Knowledge really is power.
“Finally, write the book. No book, no reason to go through the trouble of everything else. The book is the fun part!”
Welcome to Lucky Valley where nothing is quite what it seems.
Lily Goode wasn’t aware she had an inheritance waiting for her in the form of a huge Victorian house in Lucky Valley, Colorado. Life might finally be coming together for her. That is if you don’t count the endless home repairs, dealing with eccentric Aunt Polly who claims they’re both witches, and Nolan Dawson the handsome home inspector who seems to have it out for her, then, sure, life is grand. Oh, and not to mention the strange hallucinations and garden gnomes who are far more than lawn ornaments.
If mysterious accidents don’t do her in, then the rebellious gnomes just might. With the help of Aunt Polly, it’s up to Lily to discover who’s sabotaging her new home and trying to drive the Goodes out of Lucky Valley once and for all.
About the Author:
NYT & USAT Bestselling Author Michelle M. Pillow is a multi-genre romance writer with over 100 published books over the course of her nearly 15-year career. She is best known for her Quirlixen World including the series: Dragon Lords, Space Lords, Lords of the Var, Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides, and more. She also writes the award-winning Warlocks MacGregor series.
Michelle is always up for a new adventure or challenge, whether it’s a paranormal investigation of an old Vaudeville Theatre or climbing Mayan temples in Belize. She was a refugee extra on SyFy’s Z Nation. She loves to interact with readers on social media.
Buy Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes at the author’s website, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo.
Check out Michelle’s Sci-Fi Works:
Quirlixen World Collection
The Qurilixen World is an extensive collection of science fiction and futuristic romance novels by award-winning author, Michelle M. Pillow. It all started nearly 15 years ago with the original Dragon Lords series and has since grown into a massive collection. Check out each series within this bestselling world. Note: Each book in each series is a standalone story.
Dragon Lords 1: Barbarian Prince
Lords of the Var 1: The Savage King
Captured by a Dragon-Shifter 1: Determined Prince
Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides 1: Spark
And More!
Thank you for having me!