A Promise in Ash is a self-published blend of dark
contemporary romance, suspense, and women’s fiction. My inspiration for this
book stemmed from the two years my husband and I spent in Texas,
living in three different cities. We visited Houston
and the gulf coast, where the book takes place. The
With all of my books, there’s a suspense subplot. We stayed
near Austin the longest, and I had
the luck of taking some classes in the area, including at St.
Edwards University.
Austin is a city with fast-growing
tech companies. A lot of the ads I saw and inventions I read about got me
thinking over the future of polymers and the influence of cybercrime. Being
here prompted the addition of a modern cybersecurity threat as a secondary plot
involving the polymer repurposing company that the main character, Norah, works
for.
The Tough Stuff: I started writing A Promise in Ash after a
miscarriage. But it hurt too much to talk about my own. So I chose to explore
the concept at a fictional distance. My life isn’t that interesting, but people
we’ve met across the states are. I’ve found a lot of inspiration in them. Most
of my interesting conversations happen in RV parks and laundry rooms. There,
it’s easy to meet people from all over, even different countries. I love it and
look forward to every new story. It always brings me insight into the lives of
others and helps me be more grateful for what I have.
I was particularly astounded one day by a story from a woman
whose step-father abused her when she was young because she hadn’t had a child
of her own yet. She said that she tolerated the abuse for years because it was
normal in her area for women to bear children in their teens. She finally gave
in and had a daughter. But the abuse continued. Realizing the threat to her
child, this young woman found the courage to defend herself one night, then
packed up her daughter, and moved away. I admired her strength to endure and
her courage to leave behind everything she knew to make a better life for her
and her daughter. Her story stuck with me and morphed my prompt into a plan for
finishing A Promise in Ash.
In recent years, there’s also been an influx of erotica
novels that feature BDSM relationships. While they’re all fun and fictional in
the fantasy world, that’s not always the case in real life. I touch on this with
a past relationship that haunts the main character.
Across all of the concepts included in A Promise in Ash,
there was a common theme of self-worth, finding it, and knowing when to stand
up for it.
Everything I write is for the few who quietly struggle to be
“normal,” for those who are in pain and have no one to talk to, and for those
who have made mistakes and can’t seem to be free of their past.
No one deserves abuse, and it’s just not discussed as much
as I think it should be, like miscarriage. If society was more open and
understanding about these sensitive subjects, I think women would be more
inclined to seek help. I explore a lot of these topics in this book as a
(hopefully) gentle way of opening another channel for conversation.
Thanks for having me!
Best wishes!
-Elysia
About the Author
Elysia Strife is a self-published author of science-fiction fantasy and romance novels.
Adopted by two educators, Strife developed a
deep love for learning new things. In 2012, she graduated from Oregon
State University with two Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Health and Human
Sciences: Interior Design and Exercise Sport Science. Her past wears
fatigues, suits, and fitness gear, sprinkled with mascara and lace.
“I like to question everything, figure out
how things work, and do tasks myself. Experiencing new things is fun but
also helps with writing raw and genuine stories. And I’m always trying
to push my comfort zones.”
Strife likes the rumble of her project
car’s 350-ci V8. She enjoys the rush of snowboarding and riding ATVs on
the dunes. But nothing brings her more solace than camping in the
mountains where the stars are their brightest.
Strife enjoys connecting with readers and welcomes all feedback and questions.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:
Website: elstrife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElysiaLStrife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorelstrife
About the Book
A romantic-suspense novel featuring: miscarriage, hot co-workers, cybersecurity threats, and the struggle of defining family.
With only an abusive mother-figure to guide her, Norah has learned everything the hard way. An unexpected pregnancy with her fiancé changed her career plans. But miscarriage and betrayal thrust everything in reverse again. Eerie things start happening at work, and Norah finds herself at the center of the investigation.
Secrets tumble forth from Norah’s father, her ex-fiancé, and the mystery around her adoption, breaking the walls she’s put up to protect her heart. Now, more than ever, she longs for trust, love, and a family of her own.
Bonding with her handsome co-worker, Evan, and his teenage daughter, Ashley, Norah gets a glimpse of cohesive family life. She finds herself falling for Evan and becoming an unlikely source of help and understanding for Ashley. Evan and Ashley have an empty seat at their table, one Norah wishes to fill. Yet the guilt of taking the previous woman’s place threatens to keep them apart.
Can Norah overcome the scars of her past and discover her inner strength? And will the private letter from her father answer her questions or destroy the family, and the man, she’s come to love?
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