ERIN: Thank you for having me today, I’m excited to be here! The Soul Searcher is the second book in my series, The Kalila Chronicles. It picks up immediately after the first book, The Seer and doesn’t slow down. In the first book, a teenage girl named Thea is thrown into a world of ancient societies, demons, and angels. The series started out as an assignment for a writing workshop where I had to write from a villain’s or unlikely hero’s view.
In The Seer, the angel, Matthias, and the demon, Viktor, are brothers. Viktor fell from heaven when Lucifer was kicked out. Both of them are assigned to Thea. There are thousands of years of history between the two of them and lots of anger too, especially when they are forced to work together to save Thea’s life.
In book two, there are new threats and dangers for the group, and a more in-depth look at a new character, Elnora. I’m excited about Elnora’s story.
LAURIE: Are there any authors who’ve influenced you in your writing? Do you have any favorite authors?
ERIN: I’m an avid reader, so I read a lot of books. I’m a huge Ted Dekker fan, and I also really love Suzanne Collins.
LAURIE: How long has it taken you to get published?
ERIN: I started writing in middle school, but once I finally got serious about writing it took me about six months or so to finish my first book. I have a unique publishing journey because my publisher walked into my retail store one day and we started chatting about writing.
Kathy Cretsinger from Mantle Rock Publishing invited me to her writing group, and I got plugged in there and then went to their writing retreat. I had a mentoring appointment with her during the retreat, and the next thing I know, I received a contract.
LAURIE: That is a wonderful story! What other advice would you give to other writers trying to break into the Christian market?
ERIN: Read as much as you can, study as much as you can, and get into a writing group/critique group. Network at conferences, get to know other authors and don’t wait to build your platform. Don’t give up and keep going!
LAURIE: What hobbies do you like to do when you’re not writing? Anything else you’d like our readers to know about you and your work?
ERIN: I love to do anything crafty. I owned a retail store that sold items made by local artisans, and I taught craft classes before my youngest son was diagnosed with Leukemia. I’m always on Pinterest looking for new projects to try. My favorite is crochet, but I’ve also decorated cakes, string art, wooden signs, and door hangers.
I love connecting with my readers. Please sign up for my newsletter, and follow me on social media. I love answering questions and seeing your photos with my books and hearing what you think of The Kalila Chronicles.
LAURIE: And finally, how long do we have to wait for your next book?
ERIN: My second book, The Soul Searcher released this week! It hit the Top 100 in Christian Fantasy. I’m incredibly proud of the story and the whole series. The third book, The Silencer, will release next February.
LAURIE: Congratulations, Erin! That’s fantastic! Folks, the purchase link for The Soul Searcher is:
www.amazon.com/Soul-Searcher-Kalila-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07MLXT.YIT
And finally, where can your readers find you on social media?
ERIN: People can check me out at the following places:
Website: https://erinrhoward.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E.R.H.Fiction/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinRHoward
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinrhoward/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erinrhoward/
Blog/Wordpress: https://erinrhoward.wordpress.com/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c386-H
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Searcher-Kalila-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07MLXTYJT
Release Date: 2/19/19
Back cover blurb:
Elnora’s parents gave her one rule:
Stay hidden away at all costs.
Elnora Scott is used to her survival depending on the decisions of others. Locked away in her safe house, it is easy to follow her parents’ dying wishes until an angel, demon, and seer show up on her doorstep. Now, waking up in a dirty cell, she wishes she would have gone with them when she had the chance, because the very ones who unknowingly ushered the kidnapper to her location may be the only ones who can save her.
When Thea learns that Elnora may be in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to go find her. Thea thought stepping through the portal would be her greatest obstacle, but it only reveals a more sinister threat.
Bio:
Erin R. Howard is a developmental editor, fantasy author of The Kalila Chronicles, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, fueling her craft addictions, and teaching writing workshops. Erin is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the KenTen Writers Group. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.
