Welcome to my author spotlight, where I’m featuring paranormal romance books in anticipation of my own YA paranormal romance release Paramour! Today’s feature is on Angela van Liempt, author of Wandering Souls, an upper YA paranormal mystery released August 22, 2022. If you’re searching for a book series with Ghost Whisperer meets a modern-day Nancy Drew vibes, a very different spin on a love triangle, and a slowburn friends to lovers romance, you might love the Atlas Cliffs series!
What inspired you to write paranormal romance, and what draws you to this genre specifically?
I took a novel writing workshop in early 2020 without intentions to write a book, and no idea what I’d write, but the story began with a character, Drew Harlow, who has a unique ability to see dead people, and evolved into this 3 book series encompassing her journey from denial to self-acceptance, and finding love among her chaos.
If you could spend a day with any of your paranormal characters, who would you choose and why?
Celeste Locke. She’s a mystic, or “witch” we are introduced to in Seeking Haven, book 2, and her story gains traction in Braving Storms, book 3, but I’d love to learn the world of magic from her… and her presence is calming.
How do you balance world-building and romantic tension to keep readers engaged?
The world building is a character on its own. The fictional coastal town of Atlas Cliffs is filled with dark secrets that started at the Neptune Point lighthouse. The world building and external conflicts prevent the FMC and MMC from finding their peace…but they grew up together, he fell first, and they’ve always loved each other.
What paranormal romance trope can you never resist, either reading or writing?
I love the angst, tension, yearning… he would do anything for her soulmates love… but slow burn it all the way with all the swoon.
Tell us about a scene in your book that readers particularly love or provide an excerpt you’d like to share.
“You’re bleeding!” Nico reached out and cupped her face. “What happened?” He used the cuff of his sweater to dab at her face. “Drew, did someone hit you?”
Drew pulled away, reached up to touch the cut, and ended up with her hand on his. This time she couldn’t hold back her tears, the floodgates unleashed.
“What’s wrong?” He hugged her tight. She let him.
“Everything is such a mess. I don’t know what to do.”
He put his arms around her holding her close while she sobbed into his shoulder.
When she managed to catch her breath, she pulled back, sniffling, and wiped her face with her sleeve. His arms remained around her, keeping them face to face. Their breaths fogged from the cold curling around them. He was so gentle and kind. Safe. He blocked the rest of the world out without even trying.
What’s one paranormal power or creature you haven’t written about yet but would love to explore?
Very good question! I love the ability to see ghosts if that were a real thing, and the power of magic and spells… but I did that in this series. I’m currently writing a contemporary romantic suspense, so a new challenge.
If your paranormal romance couple had to face off against Edward and Bella from Twilight in a Hunger Games-style competition, which couple would win and why?
Drew Harlow and Nico DeSarro. She’s braver than she realizes, and learns to harness her power beautifully. Nico might be “human”, and without magic, but he’s fearless and would have her back no matter the risk.
Nice!
Real Reader Response:
This blends small-town mystery with a supernatural edge, and the result is an addictive YA novel that feels like Veronica Mars — with ghosts!
Excerpt:
She stood shivering as the memory faded. She held the too-long sleeves of Shane’s sweater against her nose and inhaled. She was desperate for his mix of cologne and deodorant—citrus and sandalwood—to surround her like it did that night. But too much time had passed. His essence was gone. He was gone. How cruel to come so close to someone, to love someone, only to have them ripped away from her. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to put those shattered pieces back together. Life was unfair. Now she was left alone to walk a thin line with the dead…or undead, as it were. She knew what she had to do, where she had to go.
How can you find the author?
Click the links above for Angela van Liempt’s instagram, tiktok, or website!