Elin Peer - Books That Make you Laugh, Cry and Grip Your Seat

With a background in life coaching, Elin is easy to talk to. Her fans rave about her unique writing style that has subtle elements of coaching mixed into fictional love stories with happy endings.  As our Author of the Day, Peer tells us about her book, Charlie - Cultivated.

Please give us a short introduction to what Charlie - Cultivated is about.

Charlie is a love story about two flawed people who had a strong attraction in college but lost touch. Five years later, Liv finds out that Charles has fallen prey to a criminal and dangerous cult leader in Ireland. Determined to get him out, she goes undercover, and we follow her journey to wake up Charles and save as many members as they can.

What inspired you to write about a guy who got tangled up with the wrong crowd and a girl who has to save him?

I like to challenge myself and my readers with subjects that are sensitive and stir a lot of conversation and reflection. In this case, we’re taking on the matter of smooth talkers with the ability to control you without you even realizing that you’re under attack. The psychopaths who are skilled at making you trust them until you’re in their net and they hold power over you. Reading this series will have you reflect on your own relationships and as a benefit, it will give you an armor to recognize the traits in people who look inviting but are toxic for you.

You have worked as a life coach. How have your experiences doing this influenced your writing?

When writing love stories, my background as a certified marriage counselor helps a lot. It makes my stories feel authentic with characters that get under your skin. I can’t tell you how many letters I’ve received from readers telling me that my books have helped them gain a new perspective on something in their life. One even wrote to me that I’d given her an insight into her husband’s mind and that their marriage was now blossoming. Another wrote that my book had helped her heal a childhood trauma. There’s always an underlying theme of personal growth in my books, and my readers lovingly call it self-help that reads like fiction.

This is the first book in a series. How do the books tie in with one another?

Charlie starts the Cultivated series off with a bang! It tells a fascinating story that will have you on the edge of your seat, while at the same time, introducing you to the five characters that will each have a book in this six-books series.

Tell us more about Liv. What makes her tick?

Liv is a strong and proud woman with a big heart. She grew up in a wealthy family, but when her parents tried to control whom she dated, she chose love over money and cut ties with them. She’s easy to love because she’s selfless and willing to conquer her fears and go into danger to save someone else. It’s no wonder Charles falls head over heels for her because she’s one of the few who sees past his Tourette’s and Asperger’s. The two of them will have you giggling because they’re so darn imperfect and cute together.

Your book offers romance, suspense, and drama. Why did you create it this way?

>The short answer is that I write books that I like to read myself; emotional rollercoasters that make me both laugh, cry and grip my chair with suspense.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I’m a personal coach, so my specialty is to help people get a new perspective on life when they’re stuck. I’ve helped suicidal people find joy in life, given bully-victims strategies to set boundaries and finally stand up for themselves using their voice. I’ve also united parents and children that couldn’t communicate, and I’ve guided married couples on the brink of divorce to falling back in love. It’s a skill set that I treasure, and my biggest joy is that it helps me bring harmony to my own family.

When working on a new book, what’s the first thing you do?

Plot with my oldest daughter. We have a brilliant relationship and can sit for hours over tea and plot together. I love those moments.

What is the most romantic thing you have ever witnessed personally?

Hmm, what a good question. To me, romance isn’t about grand declarations of love that you see in movies. I wouldn’t like it if my man proposed to me in public and involved other people in the act. He and I are far too private for that. But I watched it happen to my best friend whose husband proposed to her on stage. Her surprise and their love had me tearing up with happiness for them. It was one of those moments when you go aww.

What did you have the most fun with when writing this book?

I did a substantial amount of research for this book and all though I wouldn’t call it fun, I enjoyed it a lot.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

I outline and plot, but I’m not rigid about it, and sometimes the characters take me places that I didn’t intend to go. I’ve learned that it pays off to follow them and let them tell their story at their own pace. If it’s surprising to me, it’s surprising to the readers and who doesn’t love a good plot twist?

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?

How much I write varies from week to week. This week Charlie goes live and so there will be a lot of promotional work for me to do. On good days with few interruptions, I’ll write 5-7,000 words. I only need fifteen to sixteen of those days to have the next draft ready, so I’m keeping a pace of 4-5 books a year. I don’t like to write in an office, so I move around. Sometimes I’ll write while sitting on my couch or in my bed, and being a mom of two teenage girls who play a lot of sports; I often write in the car while they’re in the gym.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on Atlas, which is the second book in the Cultivated series. I’m loving the characters and trying to figure out how to help the hero find a balance between taming the dominant beast inside him and letting it out to play once in a while. Once again, the story will be full of drama, suspense, and humor. And as always there will be a riveting love story at the core.

Where can our readers consider more of your work or interact with you?

You can find me on Facebook as Author Elin Peer, but the place to learn more about my books would be my website where you can read about my four different series, Clashing Colors, The Slave Series, Men of the North, and Cultivated. www.elinpeer.com