Today I am so pleased to welcome Isabelle Adler to Joyfully Jay. Isabelle has come to talk to us about her latest release, Afloat. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

Isabelle has written some questions and answers to share today. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your newest release.

Hi, I’m Isabelle! My pronouns are she/her, I’m a demisexual, bi-romantic thirty-something, and I basically live on chocolate ice-cream and copious amounts of caffeine. I write LGBTQ romance in a variety of genres (sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, mystery). My newest release, Afloat, is the third and final installment of my sci-fi series, Staying Afloat, which focuses on the (mis)adventures of Matt Spears, the captain of the smuggler spaceship Lady Lisa, and his crew.

Afloat is the final book in the series. Were you excited or sad to write it?

I think it was a little bit of both. From the very start, I’ve planned Staying Afloat to be a trilogy, so I knew that Afloat would signify the end of this particular story arc for these characters. I was definitely excited to write their most dramatic adventure yet, but of course it was a bittersweet feeling, since it meant saying goodbye to Matt, Ryce, and their friends. Adrift, book 1 of the series, was my debut novel, and as such, I will always have a very special bond with this story and set of characters, and especially Matt, the hero.

What was the hardest scene to write?

I have a feeling that many readers would expect the scene of dramatic self-sacrifice during the climax be the hardest to write, as it definitely is the most emotionally charged. However, it was one of those scenes that sort of write themselves once the plot reaches a certain crescendo. What is happening, what the characters must do to deal with it, and what they feel in the process becomes very clear at this point. Surprisingly, what gave me the most trouble during the drafting stage were the chapters when the main characters are held captive on the pirate ship.

For the longest time (a few months, at least) I was stuck on those chapters, unsure as to how my heroes would extricate themselves from their predicament. It felt as though I had written myself into a corner, and it took a lot of time, outlining, and many false starts until I finally figured things out—and of course the solution turned out to be much simpler than I expected!

What other projects are you currently working on?

I have several WIP (writing-in-progress) projects at the moment. First of all, I’m working on a Halloween-themed M/M romance story (which I hope will end up as a full-length novel) for the fall of 2021. Second, I’m drafting the first installment of a new F/F romance mystery series in an AU steampunk Victorian setting. Aside from that, I have several other projects in the stages of planning and rough drafting, but none of them are ready to be announced quite yet. It’s definitely a case of too many ideas, too little time!

What is the most difficult part of the writing process?

For me, the most difficult part of writing a book is actually writing the book—what is called the drafting stage. For some authors, words flow easily on the page or on the computer screen, but I must confess that for me this part is excruciatingly slow and painful. I rarely manage to write more than a few hundred words a day, if I manage to write at all. But in the end, they all somehow add up into a whole entire book, which I then get to edit. I say “get to” because editing is my favorite part of the process—the point when the clay of the first draft is molded and shaped into a coherent, hopefully engaging story. To quote Dorothy Parker, “I hate writing, I love having written!”

What are your plans for the future?

I try not to plan too far ahead, as things have an unfortunate tendency to go awry when you least expect it. As for releases, I have a fantasy short story coming out May 2021, entitled The Homecoming Prince (the third and final installment in my M/M romance fantasy-of-manners series, The Castaway Prince). I’m also planning on releasing a standalone Halloween-themed M/M romance urban fantasy novel in October (all to be published by NineStar Press).

Note on the series:

For best enjoyment, the books in the Staying Afloat series should be read in order:

• Adrift (Staying Afloat #1)
• Ashore (Staying Afloat #2)
• Afloat (Staying Afloat #3)

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I have a website where I post all the information about my books and upcoming releases, as well as some extra content for my readers. I’m also pretty active on Twitter, talking about books and posting snippets of my works in progress, so if you ever want to chat, follow me there!

All my books, including the Staying Afloat series, can be found and purchased on Amazon and all other major book platforms, as well as the NineStar Press website.

Blurb

No place is safe anymore.

Matt and his crew know it all too well—and it’s especially true now as the war with the Alraki has reached the heart of Federation space and struck close to home. Suddenly, Matt is faced with a difficult choice. He has the opportunity to sway the tide of the war and rectify a past wrong by helping the Fleet obtain a groundbreaking Alraki technology. But to do so, he must risk his ship and the lives of his crewmates.

With Matt’s archenemy, the infamous Captain Rodgers, still on the loose and bent on revenge, the Alraki aren’t the only ones who pose a deadly threat to Matt and the people most dear to his heart. With danger and betrayal haunting their steps, Matt and Ryce must find a way to save their friends even as sinister secrets from the past threaten to tear them apart.

This time, the price of staying afloat might be higher than what Matt is willing to pay.

Afloat is the third book in Isabelle Adler’s exciting debut series, Staying Afloat, and concludes the series. For best enjoyment, advise reading the books in order.

Bio

A voracious reader from the age of five, Isabelle Adler has always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.

Social Media:

• Email (public address): info@isabelleadler.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isabelle_Adler
• Website: www.isabelleadler.com
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16264630.Isabelle_Adler
• Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/isabelleadler
• BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/isabelle-adler

Giveaway

Isabelle has brought $10 NineStar Press gift card to give away to one lucky reader on her tour. Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

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