Author Interview: Heather Burch

Heather Burch
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After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

 

1) What inspired you to write a book about fallen angels?

The line Halflings begins with. The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair and they took them as wives. (It's worded a bit differently in the opening page, but I've had that phrase memorized for years. It's from Genesis in the Bible.) I just couldn't shake that quote. When I discovered some people think the "sons of God" referred to the angels cast from heaven, I knew one day I would explore that dynamic in a fiction work. But I also love great "misfit" stories like X-Men. The two kind of mashed together and there you get Halflings.

 

2) Is Nikki, the main protagonist, based on any real person you personally know?

No. Nikki is a fighter, a warrior, and someone I'd love to be friends with. She has integrity and a soft side. And I wish I was more like her. :)

 

3) Who's your personal favorite from the Halflings? Mace, Raven, or Vine?

Oh man! That's like asking a mom which kid she loves more. I can say this, Raven is a blast to write! he's so quick witted and snarky. He makes the writing process a joy. Another favorite of mine is a character you won't meet until later books. His name is Viper. Yeah, I know.

 

4) Do you listen to any music while writing?

I'm so totally scattered, I can't listen to music while I write. I want to, I really do, but I start thinking about the song or the lyrics or how the base guitar thumps or the percussion--is it drums or a percussion instrument like a conga. See? There I go and there's not even any music playing. I do listen to music when I'm not working and it's great inspiration for me. When I was in high school. I wanted to write music videos as a career.

 

5) Where is your favorite place to write?

i don't do this very often, but taking my laptop out to the beach and sitting at a picnic table. It's just magical there with the sound of the waves and the seagulls. I don't do it often because the practical side of me imagines the sea salt entering every opening of my computer and corroding it. Crazy, I know, but I can't get it out of my head! 

Want to know more about those lovely halflings? There is a free ebook prequel available just about everywhere! It's titles 11:15 The Making of a Halfling.