Let’s celebrate #IndieFeatureFriday with an author spotlight on Lisa Valentine, writer of sizzling paranormal romances that pulse with magic, mythology, and heart. Hailing from the North West of England and now calling Scotland home, she is the weaver of folklore, fire, and fierce heroines. Her Wanderer Series—including Forbidden, Forsaken, and Foretold and her haunting standalone Little Crow, are rich in folklore, powerful emotions, and just the right amount of spice.
Grab your favorite beverage (and maybe some dry cereal), and settle in—because Lisa’s got stories to tell.
If you could meet any author, living or dead, who would it be?
LV: Anne Rice. She was incredible, and created so many words that I’ll never get tired of reading.
You are planning a dinner party. Which fictional characters would you invite?
LV: Thorin Oakenshield, The Sanderson Sisters, Lestat, Jareth, Harley Quinn and, of course, Beast.
Do you think you were born in the wrong era? Or are you exactly where you should be?
LV: I think I’m on the wrong planet, never mind the wrong era! I wasn’t made to sit at a desk and crunch numbers. I think I’m a perfect amount of every era that has made me. I take pieces of everything that inspires me and use it to live my life.
If you could physically travel into a fictional book world, where would you go and why?
LV: I’d want to travel into a completely magical world where nothing was impossible. Enchanted forests, mythical creatures, whispered secrets between the trees- the works!
Would you ever want to live in any of the fictional places you have created?
LV: I would love to live in the world I created. I took huge inspiration from the Scottish Highlands because they’re pretty magical, so I’m lucky to be able to visit them most years.
As a reader, do you prefer a series or stand-alone?
LV: I will read both, but I love getting lost in a series. I feel like I’m part of the story.
What do you love about self-publishing?
LV: I like how much control I have over everything. If I don’t like the vibe of something, I can cut it. I like having full control over the books I’ve created.
What do you dislike about self-publishing?
LV: The marketing…..I loathe it.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
LV: The story building. I love writing the first draft because I can let my imagination run as wild as it wants to run. It’s my favourite.
What is your least favorite part of the writing process?
LV: I hate the final edits. Editing can be very therapeutic, but by the time the book is ready to be published, I know every word and every line off by heart. It can get a little frustrating.
What is your favorite reference book for writers?
LV:Someone bought me the Writers and Artists Year Book a few years ago and I’ve purchased the updated version every year. I love it.
Are you a pantser or a plotter? Or a bit of both?
LV: Panster. I have high hopes of plotting but I never do.
What’s your go-to beverage when writing?
LV: Tea. I am a tea belly and go through gallons of it!
What’s your go-to snack when writing?
LV: Dry cereal, spearmint polos and strawberries.
What do you do when your characters stop speaking to you? Or when they won’t stop speaking to you?
LV: I watch horror films. If I need to get my brain working, I shock it out of stagnancy by watching horror films. Music helps too.
What’s an opinion that non-writers have about writers that is completely ridiculous?
LV: That it’s easy to write a book- it absolutely isn’t.
Do you have a word that you use too much in your writing?
LV: Swear words, one more than others.
When or where do you come up with your best ideas?
LV: In the middle of the night when my insomnia comes out to play
Do you have a favorite character from your books?
LV: Melody. She’s all the parts of myself that I used to hate about myself. Every negative trait my ex-husband told me he hated about me, I created Melody with. I very quickly learnt to love them. I love Melody and hate that I once hated her personality traits.
How do you come up with cover concept(s)? And do you design yourself or do you have a designer?
LV: I design them myself. I tend to take something simple but significant about the story and create the cover around it.
What do you want readers to know about you?
LV: That it doesn’t matter who you are, what your circumstances are, you can do anything. I’m very open with my life, my struggles and my trauma on my social media, and I’m like that because I want to reach the right people. Too many people only show the good parts of their life on social media, I think it’s important to show everything.
What do you not want readers to know about?
LV: I keep my personal life very personal- the people I love and care about. I protect my life with everything I have because I cherish it.
Do you use a pen name?
LV: No. I am lucky enough to have an amazing surname that sounds like a penname but isn’t.
Do you have a new book coming out? When? Title? Genre? Blurb?
LV: I’m planning on releasing a book this year. It’s spicy paranormal romance, like my last series. No blurb yet, but the story is nearly complete. It’s called, La Petite Mort, and will hopefully be released at the end on March.
Lisa’s Books
| Book | Genre | Blurb | Link |
 | Spicy Paranormal Romance | In a world where it is forbidden to be anything less than a pure-blooded magical creature, there is only one thing more dangerous than being a half-breed, being Melody Winters. Melody is the granddaughter of the head of the magical council and number one on the most wanted list. Her mother committed the ultimate crime; she fell in love with a human and paid for it with her life. Times are changing, and the net is closing in on Melody and her family of half-breeds. They have no choice but to turn to someone who they once saw as the enemy for help. Roman Abigor is the head of the Grigori and soul keeper himself. He has despised Melody since he knew of her existence because of her bloodline. She may be the only thing that can save him and his people from the wrath of the magical council. They are born enemies, sworn to hate one another because of their bloodlines, but they need each other more than they’d care to admit. There’s a very thin line between love and hate. | https://a.co/d/aGniFL7 |
 | Spicy Paranormal Romance | Death is peaceful, especially when you’ve been hunted for your entire life. It would be easy for Melody to slip into the safety of the afterlife, but one thing is stopping her- the man she never wanted to love. The moment Melody gave her heart to Roman, the old gods ripped her from this life. Is her love for him enough to sacrifice the peace she’s always craved? Melody has two choices, face the comfort and safety of her death, or become something that the world has never known. If she thought the magical council wanted her dead before, she’s about to discover a whole new level to the game. Will Melody choose to die as a witch or be reborn as a goddess? Each choice comes with consequences, and no matter what, the fate of the supernatural world will never be the same. | https://a.co/d/bssWZrj |
 | Spicy Paranormal Romance | Death and loss aren’t new to Melody, but fate is about to deal her the cruellest hand to date. How will Melody continue to fight when all her reasons are taken from her? Will she slip into the darkness and let it swallow her? Or will she reach inside herself and choose to carry on? Sometimes there’s a fate worse than death, and Melody is about to learn that the hard way. | https://a.co/d/h9eMC5P |
 | Spicy Paranormal Romance | Isla Crowley has only ever known pain. She has been broken in every way a person can be broken. In her darkest moments, she retreats into her memories—memories of him. Torrin Storr vowed to kill every single member of the Crowley family, even her. But when she turns up on his doorstep, beaten and broken, all he can think about is making those who did it pay. Isla will do everything she can to destroy every trace of her bloodline. She’s a raven amongst crows. | https://a.co/d/aO3k1Bj |
About the Author
 | Lisa writes spicy paranormal romance books filled with myths, legends and folklore. Lisa comes from the North West of England but currently lives in Scotland. When she’s not writing, Lisa can be found lost in a good book, submerged in a good horror series or cooking up a storm in her kitchen. Lisa has several chronic illnesses as well as mental illness- she speaks loudly and proudly about all of them. |
Lisa’s Socials
Insta: lisavalentine_89
Threads: lisavalentine_89
TikTok: authorlisavalentine
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/128804478-lisa-valentine
Stay tuned for Lisa’s new website and newsletter — Coming May 1st.
Check out interviews with Indie Authors
Jennifer Brasington-Crowley Ghost Writer Interview
Interviews with Indie Author’s Characters
Marnie Reilly Mysteries Ransom Elliot
Shari T. Mitchell’s Marnie Reilly
Shari T Mitchell’s Detective Lieutenant Danny Gregg
Brooker Peterson’s Lillian Martin
TL Brown’s Lucie Bellerose
Jennifer Brasington-Crowely’s Raven Xerces
TL Brown’s Sebastian St. Michel
Rose J. Fairchild’s Aura Prisma Cordyline
Thanks so much for hanging out with Lisa and me. I’ll be back soon more interviews, character profiles, and Marnie Reilly Mysteries news.
Take care and see you next time!👋
Fabulous choice for an author interview! Lisa is such a joy to follow on Instagram. She’s kind and compassionate. I’ve read Forbidden and her characters are multi-layered and captivating. I loved Melody and Roman (swoon!). The follow-up, Forsaken, is on my TBR list! (I’ve **got** to get Lisa on a podcast…)
Thanks, Tracy. Hope all is well with you and your wonderful crew.