Featured Interview With Catrin Russell
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi, everyone!
I'm a 32-year-old mother of 3 living in Piteå, Sweden. Along with the kiddies, I also share the household with my husband and 2 dogs (briards, giant fluffy French shepherd dogs). And let me tell you – we're one crazy bunch! Piteå is quite a small town, but I grew up in an even smaller town, or better yet – a tiny village OUTSIDE a small town. Like a speck, really!
There, in the safety of my childhood home, I was introduced to the Fantasy universe through books, films, series, animes, mangas, and – not in the least – games!
I have always been a huge gamer, and I even studied Computer Game Design for 3 years in Stockholm. Being creative has always been a huge part of me, and my background in game design has definitely affected my writing style through a gritty, cinematic feel and dark, gory combat scenes.
I've been writing and drawing my entire life, and the writing part of things exploded a few years back when I sat down with an idea for my current series, The Light of Darkness. I wanted to make an epic/high fantasy good vs evil story, but with a spin, and – to satisfy my inner romantic – add a slow burn love story to the mix! My style mixes genres, not only epic and high fantasy, but also dark fantasy, as well as romantic fantasy with hints of Paranormal Romance. And with that comes a bit of tasteful steam. Just the way I like it.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
To be perfectly honest, I struggled for the longest time to find books that really spoke to me. In my youth, I read things like Harry Potter, Eragon, and several books by David Eddings, but I never had that genuine feeling of "I can't put it down," or "I can't have enough of this," like everyone else was raving about. I enjoyed those books, yes (and they are great, I'll be getting a collector's set of HP just to read to my kids), but I always felt like there had to be more out there for me.
Well, I found that once I happened upon adult fantasy through David Gemmell and his Drenai series. I devoured it; absolutely DEVOURED it like there was no tomorrow. This happened in my late teens, going on 20 years of age. So, you could say I was a late bloomer to reading books.
Writing, on the other hand, I've been doing since I was a child. I co-wrote a fantasy series with a neighbour of mine as a child. We never finished it, but I've looked at the material now and then and laughed because it's so cute, funny and terrible at the same time.
I'm happy to announce, I've learned a few things since then and honed my craft!
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
David Gemmell, as mentioned above, is one of my all-time favourite authors! Other favourites of mine are Lois McMaster Bujold and Janny Wurts.
However, since I do take inspiration from other sources as well, I have a few favourite manga authors I'd like to mention, particularly Kore Yamazaki (The Ancient Magus' Bride), Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha), and Kentaro Miura (Berserk).
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is The Resurgence of Light, the third instalment of my series, The Light of Darkness (release date 7th of April). It centres mainly around Anaya, a priestess, and the demon-shifter, Samael.
The story itself is dark and gritty, packed with adult themes such as blood, gore, effects of sexual abuse, mental health, mature language, as well as romance and steam. By the third book, a lot of twists and turns have already taken place, so in an effort not to spoil, I will give a short tease on the series itself:
As humans engage in a sweeping war against demonkind, a Priestess of the Light is forced to choose between heart and duty.
Fate, prophecies, and an impossible love will blur the very line between good and evil.
Check out the first book, The Power of Conviction, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TR439KY/
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Catrin Russell Twitter Account
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