An Interview With Andra Dill

1) Tell us about your book

A Measure of Happiness was inspired by the true story of the Casket Girls. In 1728 young French women were sent to colonial Louisiana to become brides. Upon their arrival, rumors started floating around that some of the girls were vampires. A Measure of Happiness is the story of Mariette Rossard adapting to life with her new husband in the wild country. (And yes, she is a vampire.) It is a historical fantasy tale with a dash of romance (and blood—because you know, vampires).
https://books2read.com/AD-AMOH

2) What themes does your book explore?

Looking for a home, a place to belong. Adapting.

3) Tell us something unusual about your main character.

Sunlight and garlic do not bother Mariette. She became an orphan and a vampire on the same night. All she knows about being a vampire she has learned through trial and error.

4) Is this a standalone book or a series?

This is a standalone book. I do have plans to write a follow-up story for Mariette which will take place ten to twenty years after the events in this book.

5) What is next for you?

Right now I am writing a steamy wolf-shifter romance.
 
6) What genres do you write in and why?

I write urban fantasy, paranormal romance, steamy romance, and occasionally horror. While I read a multitude of genres, magic hooks me every time. I love the possibilities and pitfalls of magic and magical worlds.

7) Describe your writing style

I write in both first and third person. It depends on the character which POV I choose. I have started writing in one style and changed because I can tell the main character’s story better in the other style. There’s no rhyme or reason behind my decision—it just feels natural to tell the story in a way that fits the main character best.

8) What inspires you to write?

Ideas come to me at odd times. While walking my dog, or at work, sometimes when I’m trying to fall asleep. I have little notebooks with ideas, but what inspires me to write the full story is how vividly I imagine the characters. They take on a life of their own as I write.

9) Who are your favourite authors?

Oh so many! This is not in any particular order—Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Kelley Armstrong, Nalini Singh, Lexi Blake, Joey W. Hill, Chloe Neill, Jennifer Estep, Neil Gaiman, Anne Bishop, Stephen King, and Jim Butcher.

10) Tell us something unusual about you.

I volunteer for a local horse rescue (sixteen years and counting). It isn’t glamorous, but someone has to muck out the stalls. Before that, I volunteered with Miracles in Motion for ten years. MiM uses adaptive therapeutic riding and hippotherapy to provide support and opportunities for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.

When not daydreaming about plot lines and characters Andra practices yoga, reads voraciously, and drinks too much coffee. She loves road trips and going off on wild tangents. Andra writes in multiple genres—including but not limited to—urban fantasy, steamy romance, paranormal romance, and horror.

Author Website