Author RE Johnson joins me to chat about their new dark paranormal romance novel, Affinity for Pain, Book One of the Newborn City Series.
Bio:
R.E. Johnson is an author and copywriter with a major in Professional Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. Johnson has been a passionate storyteller and fantasy fan since she was in elementary school. In fact, they wrote their first novel in fifth grade. Now, when she isn’t working, she loves creating stories that profess love, respect, and triumph over evil and contain strong female characters who are always ready to throw down – both in and out of the bedroom. Currently, R.E. Johnson resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she spends her free time playing Dungeons and Dragons, wrangling her two rambunctious children, and reading all the smut, fantasy, sci-fi, and mythology she can get her hands on. Check out her newest book, Affinity for Pain, today!
Welcome, R.E., Please tell us about your current release.
Affinity for Pain is not only the first book I’ll ever publish but also the first book I ever completed. It’s part of a new series set in a world where “demons” exist. All the supernatural creatures you’ve heard of are real and have been in hiding until now. It follows one of those demons, Hope Turner, an assassin who’s out to end her latest mark when he turns out to be her soul mate. Until now, Hope has never been able to feel physical sensations- heat, cold, pressure, pain- but when she meets Ciaran, the ex-captive with severe PTSD, every feeling comes crashing down around her. As they fall for each other, her ex-boss and Ciaran’s ex-captor comes after both of them. They’re forced to juggle new feelings, working together, and staying alive while danger tracks them from the shadows.
What inspired you to write this book?
As funny as it may sound, a dream. Hope and Ciaran’s story popped into my head while sleeping and just wouldn’t let go until I wrote it down. The idea that they can both be so flawed and still find a way to rise above their struggles and find happiness together was extremely important to me. I could picture the confusion and chaos that new sensations and emotions would cause, and it seemed utterly compelling. If no one else were going to write it, I’d have to do it myself.
Excerpt from Affinity for Pain:
It was so stupid, but Hope knew that if she took his hand, that was it.
If she took what was offered, there was no going back. Her pulse thundered in her ears. She could barely hear herself think. Hope started to sweat and too many sensations flooded her. The memory of the bullet graze, the ache coming from Ciaran’s knee buzzed in her own, the cold air made her skin ripple, the hardwood pushed against her ankle bones, the pressure in her knees from sitting on them. It all pressed down harder and harder.
Then, she took Ciaran’s hand and followed him upstairs.
What exciting story are you working on next?
Book two of the series is well underway. It’s with beta readers now. And book three is being drafted as we speak! I’ve also started a weekly serial dark fantasy romance on my Patreon- His Black Alchemy. It’s about a Fae captain who switched over to the Orc Kingdom, a Fae Alchemist who loved him and was left alone to continue being incredibly powerful, and the Black Alchemist of the Orc Kingdom who’s been arranged to marry her. They must all come together to determine what’s causing the disappearance of the Radiance- the force behind all magic.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been writing in some fashion my whole life. As a profession, I started copywriting right out of college. As far as fiction goes, I’ve been seriously pursuing it for a few years now. I think I now consider myself a true author because my first book is actually coming out. I’m ecstatic!
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
In theory, I do write full-time, but I spend most of my day writing for other people as a copywriter. I work in a freelance-like setting but with set hours and pay. When it comes to finding time to write, I’ll admit it’s a real challenge. I also have two kids and a husband I want to pay attention to. It all comes down to agreeing with the hubs that he’ll watch our endless-energy kids for a bit while I work and waking up super early so that I’m done with work in time to have an hour or so to myself to write.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I change genres for projects or WIPs often. I like it all, really, as long as there’s some sort of magic or otherworldly feature, spice, and interesting characters.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oh, man. I rotated through a few classics- vet, doctor, firefighter. But as I got older, I started to fall in love with writing. I didn’t think it was the most “stable” option, so I tried my hand at criminalistics. It turns out I’m terrible at math. So halfway through college, I switched my major to Professional Writing and never looked back.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I love you all! How do I have readers?! Amazing. I hope you enjoy Affinity for Pain, and I can’t wait to introduce you to the characters in the next book. Newborn City has a lot of story left to tell, and I hope you’ll all join me.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Patreon | Signed PB page
Thank you for posting the interview. It was great fun. Could you please update the cover to the correct version? It’s available on Goodreads.