Garden Interview with Tena Stetler

Hello Tena

tell us about your and your books

Do you plot or let the story unfold as you write?

I let the story unfold as I write.  I couldn’t plot my way out of a paper bag, my characters would muck it up right after the first bullet points.

What's your favorite book you've written? It’s a tie between two. Why?

The Demon’s Witch – It was my debut novel. Very few people had heard of a demon overlord owing, running and participating in a hair salon in Washington DC. I learned a lot writing and polishing this book. Bruce my hero is a multifaceted character with a good and bad side that eventually throughout the five books (so far) in the series has overcome a lot of his bad traits. He appears in the other books to assist and guide rather than judge and sentence. I love the characters in the series, so much that I thought I was done after A Magic Redemption. But, my characters told me I was wrong.

A Witch’s Journey is also a favorite. Heroine Pepper is a sassy, spunky wildlife rehabilitor that will fight for what she wants. Wildlife rescue is near and dear to my heart. So is this series.

When did you decide to become an author? I’ve always written as soon as I could put pencil to paper and write words. I love telling stories that make people laugh, cry and whisk them away from their ordinary world, if only for a few hours. Yep, I write Paranormal Romance/Mystery. In 2014 I was downsized from my job. I decided that it was time to polish off my manuscripts that were hiding under my bed and try to get them published. TWRP contracted my first novel and I haven’t looked back.

Do you have trouble saying goodbye to characters?

Of course. Why to do you think I have five books soon to be six in A Demon’s Witch Series and will have four in A Witch’s Journey Series. Two of which were just contracted. I cry when I think of finishing the series. A Magic Redemption was supposed to be the last in A Demon’s Witch, I cried when I wrote the end, then my characters came to the rescue and informed me I wasn’t done.

What are your current projects? I so excited I just signed my 12^th and 13^th contract with TWRP for Hidden Gypsy Magic (book 3 in A Witch’s Journey) and Chocolate Raspberry Magic (a book in TWRP’s One Scoop or Two summer series (it has several characters in common with Hidden Gypsy Magic and A Witch’s Journey). Edits and cover art creation will be headed my way soon.

Currently, I’m finishing the sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series. Started the sequel to Mystic Maples set in a castle in Scotland, and polishing and editing my cozy mystery series getting it ready to submit to my editor.

now for a little fun

What did you want to be when you grew up? A lawyer. Boy what a huge mistake. I got as far as a paralegal in a criminal law firm. While blood and guts were intriguing for a while (17 years), when you can’t tell the criminals from the attorney’s it’s time to leave. So with voices screaming in my head to be let out, I followed my first love of writing.

Do you have a favorite quote? I have two and use them at the bottom of my emails alternately.

"I have the soul of a Gypsy; the heart of a Hippy; the Spirit of a Wolf, and I don't howl alone. Join me?"

And

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW what a ride!"

Has the dog ever eaten your manuscript? Nope, but my parrot, Taco chewed the heck out of one.

Do you enjoy giving interviews? Yes. I learn a lot about myself and still more about the interviewer.

Have you ever found true love? Oh yes. I’ve been married to my soul mate and best friend for many, many moons. He’s my real life hero.

Who's more fun, bad boys or perfect gentlemen? Or Bad Girl or a lady? Are we talking writing or real life? Doesn’t matter. Bad boys or girls are a blast in the short term, but gentlemen or ladies are in it for the long haul. I write my characters keeping that in mind. Although even my bad boys have a good moral compass that eventually comes out. Now I’m not talking evil characters, they always

 Where can we find out more?

https://www.tenastetler.com

https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author

 https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler

Download Charm Me Again on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Charm-Me-Again-Tena-Stetler-ebook/dp/B07ZDKKC4N

and other online retailers