Inextricably Tied (Author Interview)

 

Book Description 

Harbinger is reckless.

It only makes sense that she keeps the world at arm’s length. No one to answer to. No one to lose. No one to touch her banshee skin and become connected forever.

It’s a system that works — even if it means keeping her partner, Flint, from getting any closer to her.

Flint is restrained.

As Harbinger’s bodyguard, he has to be — until pulling her behind his gargoyle armor accidentally links them. Now Harbinger’s privy to the romantic feelings he’s denied himself for years…

And Flint’s no longer the only one connected to her.

Agony is unlike anything they’ve ever seen.

A night terror extracted from a serial killer, Agony doesn’t care who he hurts — and Flint and Harbinger look like perfect targets.

Forced together by circumstance, the three search for the remains of the murderer’s victims…and try to keep from killing each other in the process.

But as the mystery comes into focus, the lines between the three of them begin to blur. What started as begrudging partnership becomes as intertwined as their bodies in the dark.

The bond between Flint and Harbinger is fraying — but Agony isn’t the only one to blame. Not when Flint and Harbinger have painful histories they’ve spent their whole lives running from.

Every step toward uncovering the truth proves that the only way to untangle these complicated webs is to unravel them…and each other.

Release date: July 8, 2022 Link to order 

If you use this link before release day, Inextricably Tied can be yours for only $3.99. 🙃

Author Bio: Aveda Vice (she/they) is a pansexual author of sinful stories and infernal paranormal romances. In her books, you’ll find a weakness for queer monsters and polyamorous pairings. She researches true crime, decorates every day like it’s Halloween, and is going to hell.

Contact info- avedavice.com | Twitter, Instagram, TikTok

Interview

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WR: As a fairly new author what made you decide to write in the subgenre monster romance?

Aveda: I’ve always been interested in the paranormal. My rule of thumb has always been, “It needs more supernatural.” Make your main character a vampire. Throw in an ancient curse. It gets instant intrigue from me. 

 

Monster romance appeals to me in the same way enemies-to-lovers does: a person seeing your “worst” parts and falling for you regardless (or because) of them? Sign me up.

Our society highlights very specific traits as attractive, and if you don’t fit the mold, you’re taught that you’re undesirable. I think that’s why monster romance appeals to me and many people from historically marginalized groups. In monster romance, characters with socially-deemed “ugly” parts are loved openly by their partners for the very traits the world would shun. 

 

WR: Do you have any plans to write in another subgenre?

Aveda: Whatever I do has to have angst. I enjoy elements of romantic suspense and erotic horror, and I’ve dabbled in those. I don’t think I could write contemporary or rom-coms, but the thought of historical paranormal intrigues me. 

 

WR: Where did you get your inspiration for this world and characters?

Aveda: Flint was originally inspired by Marco Furey from Pretty Little Liars. I wanted him to have a chaotic partner as a foil to his stoic, protective nature. Since so much of monster romance focuses on male monsters, I wrote a “goth” woman monster who didn’t suit conventional standards. A digital sculpture by Olya Anufrieva called “Clay skull girl” inspired Harbinger’s appearance. 

 

Banshees are tied to death in their lore, so I expanded on what that could look like. As for Harbinger’s psychometry, exploring a “superpower” that’s a hindrance intrigued me, especially as an autistic person. Harbin avoids emotions, yet her ability doesn’t allow her to escape them. 

 

And bodyguard Flint trying to keep her safe while she puts her life in danger with the deadly creature they’re escorting? It was too good to pass up.

Aveda was so kind to offer a sneak peek into her inspiration. Here are few photos

Artist credit: Flint elk_en | Harbinger Fabián Villa | Agony Artist unknown 

For more inspiration photos, checkout the full Pinterest Board!

WR: I know I’ve been pestering you about this release since last year. What can readers expect to see in this book?

Aveda: Romantic suspense + bodyguard + enemies-to-lovers. A trio investigates a series of disappearances, but one of the partners is protecting the FMC while the other partner threatens their lives. They’re forced on a journey together, and as they uncover the mystery, their pasts come to light as well. 

 

At the center of this novel, there’s a budding relationship stunted by trauma and grief. This story focuses less on the main serial killer and more on the many victims and the corrupt organizations that fail them, which unveils more evil than suspected.  

 

WR: What kinds of requests have readers asked for you to include in this book?

Aveda: To be completely honest, the request I remember specifically is “sex without a condom + a creampie,” since Flint held back in Skin. And don’t you worry, this book has both! 

 

WR: In Skin, readers got a glimpse of Flint opening up to Harbinger. He’s Harbinger’s protector, and she feels everything, so their relationship dynamic might be complicated. How can readers expect them to navigate this dynamic in Inextricably Tied?

Aveda: That dynamic is a huge part of the character journey in Inextricably Tied. Harbinger and Flint have worked together for years - but when you add this new element of Agony, Harbinger and Flint realize they don’t know much about each other’s pasts. Agony aggravates a soft spot in their relationship, highlighting the conflict between how Flint and Harbinger operate - Flint is overprotective, and Harbinger is reckless, which puts them at odds in everything they do. Inextricably Tied takes a hard look into why these characters react the way they do, which gives them a better understanding of each other and themselves. 

 

WR: Skin is a MF romance, but Inextricably Tied adds a third partner. How did this romance become polyamorous?

Aveda: Polyamory is my default - that’s how most of my books and planned stories end up. For this book specifically, I wanted to examine why Harbinger and Flint haven’t acted on their desires when they’ve been partners for years. Why are they holding things back from each other? Why are they still out of sync? As close as they think they are to each other, there’s space between them, and Agony exposes that - but he also bridges the gap and encourages them to open up to each other. I hope this story shows why each of these characters is good for the others, and why they’re all attracted to each other. 

 

WR: What would Flint, Harbinger and Agony go/do on a date?

Aveda: I love this question. After Inextricably Tied, those three deserve to just enjoy each other. I think they’d do something adventurous, so Agony and Harbinger can get an adrenaline rush without giving Flint a heart attack. Maybe axe throwing or go-kart racing…or skinny dipping. That’s the compromise for Flint’s next date idea to take a pottery class. And I think the three of them spend plenty of time making dinner in their new travel trailer and eating out ;) under the stars. 

 

WR: What's next from the Fangs With Benefits universe?

Aveda: I’m currently working on the first book in the sequel series to Bound, which focuses on the Timbers in Inextricably Tied. Hopefully, Bound2 [working title] will be out later this year. I’ve also started Omen’s story, so if you enjoy him in Inextricably Tied, there will be more of him soon!  

 

My Patreon has extra short stories and inside looks at these books before they’re published. For July, I’m writing a bonus epilogue of Harbinger, Agony, and Flint!

If you haven't ordered Inextricably Tied yet, what are you waiting for????

Happy Reading!