I interviewed the nine authors of the Valos of Sonhadra collection for the USA Today Happy Ever After blog, about why they love writing science fiction romance and reverse harem stories. To read their views on these topics and also what’s next for each of them, hop over to USAT/HEA!
I also asked them to share a fun fact or two about themselves with readers, specifically what was their unexpected ‘hidden talent’ and/or the most unexpected item in their purse. Here are those answers!
Amanda Milo, Alluvial (Valos of Sonhadra #1)
Wrongfully incarcerated on a prison spaceship, Preta’s hope of going home plummets the moment the ship crashes on an alien planet. Hunted, starving—it’s almost a relief when she’s captured by a tribe of men that can shift into tree… dragons?
‘Hidden talent’?
Like the ability to whistle underwater? Ha! I don’t think I can do a thing nifty or clever with enough consistency to quite have it qualify, hmm. Let’s see. I wouldn’t, in any capacity, say it’s a talent – but I like to needlefelt. It’s a process of stabbing wool into shapes with wicked-sharp barbed needles. It’s a little dangerous to the digits, but I enjoy my wild thrills and wool enough to brave it.
Poppy Rhys, Tempest (Valos of Sonhadra #2)
In the hellish orbiting prison known as the Concord, a former government operative must rescue her sister, but when it crashes upon a foreign world she struggles to survive the hostile environment. With the help of the alien quad who nabbed her, finding her sister is finally within reach.
‘Hidden’ talent?
Surviving on skittles and popcorn while banging out a book.
Nancey Cummings, Blazing (Valos of Sonhadra #3)
Lucie wants her life back and nothing will stop her: not prison, not crashing on an alien planet and not three powerful aliens. Sarsen, Ertale and Asche will do whatever it takes to make Lucie understand that her body and her heart belongs to them.
‘Hidden talent’?
My friends like to tease me that my mutant power is “finding stuff.” Need a copy of an out of print book? I’ll find it at the bookshop. Need a giant coffee urn for a party? Let’s go the thrift store, my spider-sense is tingling. Recently, a friend misplaced her car keys and couldn’t find them for two days. I went to her house and we found them within ten minutes (on top of the washing machine in the basement).
Ripley Proserpina, Whirlwind (Valos of Sonhadra #4)
An unlucky thief, Aveline’s been caught and imprisoned on the Interstellar Penitentiary System station. But her luck is about to change. When a wormhole opens near the space station, Aveline is sucked out of hell and into a world she never knew existed—Sonhadra.
Most unexpected item in your purse?
A collection of notecards featuring Edward Gorey’s artwork.
Bonus: Favorite prison movie?
‘Con Air’… Nicholas Cage’s southern accent and his classic, “Put the bunny down.” It’s the soundtrack to my childhood.
Naomi Lucas, Radiant (Valos of Sonhadra #5)
Yahiro was afraid of the dark, afraid of herself, and she thought that would never change after being sentenced for life on the Concord. But when the prison ship gets sucked into a wormhole, she not only finds a new life, but a radiant light in the form of three aliens to guide her from the dark. And towards a new dawn.
‘Hidden talent’?
…probably being a Magic the Gathering player.
Isabel Wroth Shadowed (Valos of Sonhadra #6)
Running from the wreckage of the escape pod, the only place to hide is between the feet of a giant statue. How was she to know those statues would awaken and carry her off to a city of perpetual darkness?
Most unexpected item in your purse?
A silicone spatula.
Tiffany Roberts, Undying (Valos of Sonhadra #7)
After surviving a crash, Quinn stumbles into an ancient abandoned city, where she meets Orishok—the last of the death valos and the guardian of Bahmet. Surrounded by the dead, the two form a bond that supersedes their differences and brings them both to life.
‘Hidden talent’?
*Stares at each other* Uhh… Tiffany can wake up bright eyed at pretty much any time after 2am and go through the day without coffee. Rob can wake up at any time and go immediately back to sleep—even after getting out of bed several times.
Bonus: Favorite prison movie?
‘Chronicles of Riddick.’ The first thing that pops into my head is Vin Diesel, haha! But we both love the sci-fantasy designs when it comes to the costumes and sets, especially the necromongers.
Marina Simcoe, Enduring (Valos of Sonhadra #8)
After the crash of the spaceship where she was held a prisoner and used as a lab subject, a shy Biology student finds herself on an unknown alien planet. Given a second chance at life and love, she slowly learns how to be happy again, only to have the lives of those who became dear to her heart threatened. This time, it is up to her to defy the millennium-old rules in order to hold on to the two men she treasures most.
‘Hidden talent’?
I have several hidden talents. Unfortunately, none of them are very useful in my current life. I’m old school: my mom thought me how to sew clothes, knit, and crochet. Also, thanks to my business background, I’m a real wizard with Excel charts and spreadsheets.
Regine Abel, Unfrozen (Valos of Sonhadra #9)
After crashing onto an unknown planet, Lydia uses the powers forced upon her through cruel experiments to save a dying alien race.
Most unexpected item in your purse?
The number of different currencies in my wallet. I travel a lot due to my day job and for some reason, I never take out the currencies I don’t currently need. Last I checked, I had Canadian, US, euros, pounds, dinars, and yen.
Bonus: Favorite prison movie?
‘The Shawshank Redemption’ is hands down my favorite prison movie. Phenomenal and an amazing escape I had not seen coming. The payback to all those who wronged him and his friends was pure brilliance.
