[ Blogiversary ] Author Interview: Cathlin Shahiriary

Author Interview: Cathlin Shahiriary

Welcome Cathlin Shahiriary! It is great to have you here at T & G Book Boutique! Let’s get started with the questions!

Awesome! I’m so excited to be here!

First off, tell us a little bit about yourself!

Well I was born on a sunny day in June…haha just kidding (except I really was born on a sunny day in June, but in Phoenix that’s not so uncommon). I am an elementary teacher by day and an author by night. Most of my writing takes place during vacations (winter and summer) or on the weekends. I’m a total book nerd and fangirl. Some of my favorite fandoms are Supernatural, Dr. Who, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter. I’m married with 3 furry babies- 2 cats and an 80 pound pitbull.

What got you into writing?

I actually started writing after I went to a Q & A with Colleen Hoover (one of my absolute favorite authors and people) where she was asked what advice she had for aspiring authors. She told the audience to just start writing and to write about something that makes you happy. So, that’s exactly what I did. After a really cool dream featuring a young girl meeting a mysterious Fae boy in the woods, I started writing her story.

Tell us a little bit about your books.

This for me is the hardest part, because I really don’t want to give away any of the twists I have in store for my readers, but I will try to do my best. My books are the first two in the Fae Realm series (YA fantasy) to which I hope to add many more.

Ianthe is the first and starts with a 17 year old girl, Lola, who has a really rocky relationship with her father and made some unsavory decisions recently that led her to be sent to stay with her great aunt for the summer. There she meets the mysterious Conall, a Fae (fairy) boy whom she cannot seem to resist. The book focuses on her journey to discover herself, but also throws in a little romance.

The second book, Return to Fae, picks up right where Ianthe left off, continuing her journey of self-discovery and her relationship with Conall.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I find my inspiration everywhere. Sometimes in my dreams. Most of the time, once I start writing my characters decide where I should go and don’t always take me where I want them to. There are also bits and pieces of my friends and family in the characters as well as references to some of my favorite books, shows, and movies.

Favorite hobby other than reading?

I love to paint both on canvas and pottery. I also love to color. I find art very soothing and love seeing my final product.

Tell us an embarrassing story?! 

I always love asking this question because it gives us a good laugh.

Oh, there are so many because I’m a total klutz. So this last school year I was moved from fourth to fifth grade. I was super excited that I would be with my two dual classes from last year, but my homeroom class was a mixture of new students and fifth graders from the other classes last year. 2 or 3 days into adjusting to the move, I was wearing these khaki capris that had apparently started ripping along one of the back pockets. They only got worse the more times I sat down. I had no clue until one of my students came up and so politely said something to me. Of course by that point it had made it around the room in whispers and giggles, but I took it like a good sport and we all had a good laugh about it after I tied a sweater around my waist.

Favorite author?

I have SO many- no seriously, I do. I love Colleen Hoover, J.K. Rowling, Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, and Fisher Amelie to name a few.

Favorite genre?

I love YA, especially fantasy, but I’m also a sucker for a good love story.

Tell us one weird or interesting thing about you?

I’m bilingual, fluent in Spanish, although you wouldn’t guess it by looking at me.

If you had to be alone in a deserted island what book would you take with you? Only one is allowed and no kindles! I know, I am cruel, but this is important. I want to know what book you would never get bored of.

Geez Louise, that’s a difficult question. I’d have to say probably Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I’ve reread that one at least 4 times.

Thank you for hanging out with us Cathlin!

Thank you for having me!

Books by Cathlin

Ianthe Lola Grayson hasn’t always made the best decisions, but one night at a party changes everything. Haunted by nightmares of that night and fresh out of rehab, Lola is forced to spend the summer with her great aunt, whom she hasn’t seen in over 10 years.

But her nightmares aren’t all that follow Lola to her Aunt’s house. Lola soon finds herself drawn to Conall, a mysterious Fae who appears at the edge of the woods and invades her dreams. Although she knows better, she just can’t seem to stay away from him.

With Conall’s help, Lola starts to unravel the secrets left behind by her long dead mother, but what happens when those secrets change everything Lola has ever known?

Goodreads | Amazon

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