Wish You Weren't Here
Review and Author Interview
Book Description:
I was done with my Jinn ex-boyfriend—but now I’m the only one who can save his life.
I’m already in enough trouble with my magic going crazy right when I’m opening a storefront for romantic crimes consulting. The last thing I need is interference from Kiran Singh, who failed spectacularly as a boyfriend, and now wants me back with some crappy excuse of helping him track down illegal, dangerous love potions.
Then one of his other exes tries to kill me in a fit of jealous, doped-up rage—and ends up dead herself, with all evidence pointing to Kiran.
My vegetarian vampire mate, Cendric, is convinced Kiran is up to something. But homicide isn’t Kiran’s style, even if he’s starting to show serious psycho-jealousy of his own. Someone else is pulling the strings, and they don’t care how many people die from fake love.
If we can’t track down the real mastermind, my ex is going to disappear.
And not in the way I’d wish.
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My Review:
Wish You Weren't Here is full of colorful characters, humor, and action. It will take you on a wild ride that's lots of fun too with subtle deeper themes. Be sure to read If Wishes Were Curses first as you get introduced to the complex characters and their unique team dynamic. I enjoyed Book 2's storyline more than Book 1. Both books have a certain randomness, because Allis' magic is all over the place wonky. She learns more about her parentage and magic while facing powerful enemies. But she realizes one important detail, to never face danger alone. Thankfully, she has a solid group of friends and a new husband who have her back.
Some favorite quotes:
Someone was in control, and that destiny was good. I had to trust that, even when I felt as useful as a box of matches in the ocean.
"...The Dreamscape traveled by ravens is cold and eerie enough to drive the strongest Fae or Unspoken mad."
"Really?" I crunched my face. "I find it very cozy and peaceful."
At that, Cendric threw back his head and laughed. "Allis, the question of your sanity was answered long ago. You've gone fully native in wonderland."
Disclosure: I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
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Author Interview:
1. How many hours a day do you write?
I aim for a certain word count or chapter deadline rather than hours. Usually it’s 1,000 words a day once I hit the groove in writing. Sometimes 2,000 words a day.
2. How do you prefer to write your books - with a pen/pencil, typing, or dictation?
I type up all of my books on Google Docs so that I can share them easily with my alpha readers as I’m writing.
3. Do you use your own name or a pseudonym?
I always use my own name. It keeps things simpler. I’d change it up if I wrote in a drastically different genre.
4. How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Anywhere from 3 ½ weeks to six months. It depends on the book, my other commitments and work, and my deadlines.
5. How many books do you plan to write for this series (if you’re writing a series)?
The Steel City Genie series will have at least six books. I’ve planned for as much as ten, but we’ll see how it goes! I’ll write as long as I have stories to tell in this universe.
6. What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Going against expected tropes. I find there are a lot of expectations of what guys should act like in a book: the alpha male, the beta male, the sidekick, the rake, etc. And those have their place in storytelling, especially in certain genres. But I’ve never had a vision to write male tropes like that, just like I’ve never really had a vision to write female tropes. I like to write people as true as I can, while also having some fun with the story and making things a little larger than life when appropriate.
7. How do you select the names of your characters?
It depends on the story. A lot of time they just come to me as I’m writing, but other times I’m very intentional. For example, in The Steel City Genie series I wanted a character called “Alice” to reflect back to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but I wanted a twist on it that suggested a different ancestry.
8. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I’m not sure about “only a few” but I definitely include plenty of Easter Eggs from movies, books, and TV shows!
9. Does your family support your career as a writer?
My husband and my Mom are huge fans!
About the Author:
Janeen Ippolito
Janeen Ippolito writes steampunk fantasy and urban fantasy, and creates writing resources, including the reference book World Building From the Inside Out and the creative writing guide Irresistible World Building For Unforgettable Stories. She’s an experienced teacher, editor, author coach, marketer, and is the leader of Uncommon Universes Press, a small traditional science fiction and fantasy publishing house. She’s also the cohost of the podcast Indie Book Magic. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys sword-fighting, reading, pyrography, and eating brownie batter. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.
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