As seen in the March issue of Uncaged Book Reviews
Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about the Demons After Dark series? How many books are planned for the series?
Demons After Dark is set in the Primani world, but the main characters are demons who’ve been exiled from Hell. The demons are nicknamed “Trinity” by Raphael’s original Primani, Killian. While the Primani characters make occasional appearances, they’re not the center of these new stories. In the DaD books, readers get to know Lucifer and Raphael even more intimately because they are working together to prevent a fanatic secret society from overthrowing Lucifer and taking over both Hell and the human plane. Poor Raphael is stuck managing Lucifer’s Trinity demons as they learn to survive as humans and struggle to juggle their new lives and the women who turn them upside down. By the way, I love, love, love hiding Easter eggs so there are fun little surprises scattered in the stories. Readers who’ve fallen in love with the Primani world will spot these treats. Note, these books are funny, somewhat dark, and much, much hotter than my Primani Series. I’m planning eight books in this series, but am open to more if it seems right.
Uncaged: Your Primani series is the original series that the Demons series was born out of, is that series still ongoing and is there a set amount of books you have planned, or is it open-ended?
The Primani Series isn’t quite done yet. Each new book will be a standalone title so readers won’t have to go back and re-read the entire series. At this point, I have another novel planned and several novellas too. After that? I’m not sure. I adore the characters so much, but I’ve got several other projects that I’d like to work on. I have a contemporary romance spinoff I’d like to start and a paranormal buddy adventure I’ve already begun. And of course, I am pushing ahead with more Demons After Dark books in 2018 and 2019.
Uncaged: Will you be attending any events in-person this year or any conventions?
2018 is a little more relaxed than some years have been. I’m signing at the Wild Deadwoods Reads convention in Deadwood, SD, in June and am signing at the Alamo City Comic Con here in San Antonio, TX, in October. I think these are my two big events.
Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?
Yes, I absolutely read them. Glowing reviews lift my spirits while critical reviews help me see where I can improve my writing. It’s always amusing to hear how some characters or scenes are perceived so differently from how I wrote them. I love that!
Uncaged: Can you tell us what you have coming up next?
I’m really excited to say that I’m finishing up “Derick (Demons After Dark Book Four)” and plan to release it in April. Later in 2018, I’ll release “Hayden (Demons After Dark Book Five)” and another Primani Series novella. Possibly a full-length novel but I’m not promising that just yet. It depends on how quickly I can write.
Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?
A lot of my readers tell me they feel as if they’re in the story with the characters. They say it’s like being immersed in a movie. I love to hear that! That’s exactly the experience I hope for. BUT, BUT, BUT, the nicest thing anyone has ever said was pretty funny. One reader recently said, “Your mind is a very weird place. I love it.” Best compliment ever!
Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?
I love creating the world and the lore that goes with it. My stories are meant to be an escape for readers. What better way to forget your problems than to lose yourself in a world that may or may not exist alongside our distressing one? Each book builds on the lore and the backstory so it unfolds in real time as you read. I love giving my characters unique psychic abilities that give them an edge on the bad guys and in the bedroom too–telepathy, telekinesis, energy exchange, teleporting… Imagine the possibilities! My paranormal world includes Primani (immortal soldiers), psychics, angels, and demons (both good and bad). Oh, and just because this is PNR, there’s no reason to leave out the occasional kinky character, is there? These guys have needs too! Now, isn’t that more fun than cowboys and bikers? Wink, wink!
My least favorite part is managing advertising and marketing strategies. Writing an awesome story isn’t enough. Authors have to become marketing savvy if they want to find readers to actually read their awesome stories. Managing ads and marketing campaigns in an ever-changing marketplace is exhausting and downright daunting some days.
Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
When I’m not writing, I putter in my yard, go for hikes with my dog, and explore new restaurants with my best girlfriends. My life is pretty quiet these days. I’m focused on getting healthy this year so I’m exercising and eating clean foods. I’d like to be able to travel more so getting my body in good condition is important.
Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?
A book’s middle portion is the hardest part for me. It’s important not to fill it up with fluff. The center of a story has to keep the reader engaged; it has to propel a reader through the meat of the plot and still be exciting and necessary. It’s easy to inadvertently drag things out here so I always end up editing with a scalpel. The beginning is always the easiest! Once upon a time… comes easily to me. I’m not the fastest writer around so it usually takes me around four months to finish a book.
Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?
I love hearing from my fans via email, Facebook, Twitter…really, I just love to hear from people! Nothing brings a bigger rush of happiness than chatting about characters and their adventures. Please, please feel free to reach out to me anytime! The best way to get a quick response is by posting on my Facebook page. I usually check it throughout the day even when I’m working at my day job. If fans want to see what I’m up to, sign up for my newsletter. Also, I try to keep my Pinterest boards current with images pertaining to my works in progress and inspiration for books. I love the visual aspects of Pinterest!
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]For as long as she can remember, Laurie Olerich has been fascinated with all things paranormal. From the time she was a little girl, her vivid imagination led her on ghost hunting missions with her invisible friend. As an adult, Laurie has evolved that rich fantasy life into a love of travel and exploration that has sent her on expeditions from New England to Rome in search of old cemeteries and underground burial sites. Along with her studies of demonology and angelology, she uses inspiration from her travels to write action-packed urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels full of wickedly sexy characters and creepy places. An unhealthy love of hockey and a 20 year military career give her a penchant for strong men and big guns.[/symple_box]
