Interview: Nicole Pouchet (author of Layla's Gale)

Today I'm pleased to welcome Nicole Pouchet to the blog to talk about her new book, "Layla's Gale."

First, a little about the book...

Life is finally on track for fledgling stage actress Layla Cohen until she realizes her gorgeous new director, Sebastian, is the star of the erotic dreams which she’s been having for months. She could handle the uncomfortable work situation if not for the further evidence she’s losing her mind: The wind suddenly whooshes at her command; memories of a past life emerge; and she’s sure someone is trying to kill her.

Meanwhile, director Sebastian Tawanti is steering his small D.C. theater company into the big-time with his Incan mythology-based play. The culmination of his life’s work, he won’t let anything stand in the way of his play's success--not his mother's objections, not the inappropriate heat he feels for Layla, and not even the mysterious, empathic symptoms he's experienced since meeting her.

LAYLA’S GALE is Book 1 of the four-book, paranormal romance / urban fantasy ELEMENTAL MYTHS romance series. Similar in subject matter, it is a lighter, more carefree read than Deborah Harness’ All Souls Trilogy. This paranormal romance series is sure to entice readers of Karen Marie Moning's Fever series and Marjorie M. Liu's Dirk and Steele series. ELEMENTAL MYTHS follows four couples as they bond together in steamy romance, supernatural powers, and predestined battle to save modern mankind from the mysterious demise of the vanished Incan Empire.

As Layla and Sebastian struggle with new love and burgeoning power, a sinister force unravels to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Will they learn the truth behind the Incan script in time to save their lives, the love they’re destined to share, and the future of humanity?

The Interview...

1. What inspired you to write this book? 
Years ago, my husband and I were chatting about the Mayan calendar ending in 2012. He said it would be interesting if the world morphed into something spectacular at that date, as opposed to all the doom and gloom being predicted. His idea planted the seed for my Meso-American mythology based paranormal series.

2. Would you classify your writing more as plot driven or character driven? 
I think I fall in love with my characters a bit. I want to be true to them, so I’m always trying to figure out exactly how they should respond in certain situations. That said, I won’t hesitate to drop them in horrendous predicaments if it further the plot. So, my writing is probably plot-driven.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main?
The main character of Layla’s Gale is Layla Cohen. She’s living in D.C. and trying to make it as an actress/waitress. Her biggest fear at the beginning is that she’s more waitress than actress. She’s determined to make her career work, devoted to her friends, and willing to make the “right” choices. But she’s always a little afraid that she’s not good enough.

4. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book. 
Once Layla gets a big role in a play about Incan history, all kinds of mysterious things start happening. Along with inappropriate feelings for her director—and new boss—she’s suddenly having memories of a past life. The wind suddenly whooshes at her command and someone is trying to kill her. Layla must figure out the truth behind the play and their pasts before a sinister force unravels to fulfill an ancient prophecy.

5. What do you hope readers take away from your book? 
Layla’s Gale is Book 1 of the Elemental Myths paranormal romance series. This book sets up the world of goddesses, reincarnation, and the responsibility we have to our fellow man. Along with these light topics, I hope people can relax into a light read and escape life into this world for a time.

6. Now for a few fun questions! What song best describes your writing style?
Ha! Probably “You Learn” by Alanis Morissette. It’s a song about screwing up over and over until you get it right. I am a big believer in the “shitty first draft.” So my writing is a mess at first, but I’m always happy that I started.

7. Night Owl or Early Bird?
I’d love to say Night Owl, but I think having kids coupled with insomnia has turned me into an Early Bird. I actually wrote the bulk of my novella, Cadence’s Cauldron, from 4-6am over two months. I couldn’t sleep, so I stopped fighting it!

8. Skittle or M&Ms?
Skittles, even better if they’re sour. I’m still waiting for the perfect time to set out a bowl mixed with both for company.

9. Who are your favorite authors?
I grew up reading poetry by Nikki Giovanni, and I love her work. Within my own genre, I love Diana Gabaldon, Marjorie M. Liu, and Karen Marie Moning.

10. Can you tell us about your future projects? 
I’m currently writing Cadence’s Cauldron, A Paranormal Romance. It’s Book 2 of the Elemental Myths series and features a jazz singer in London. Look for it in the fall. And, I also just started a messy synopsis for a new series about shape shifters. I’m excited about both projects. It’s thrilling to get these ideas onto paper and finally out to the public.

You can get your copy of "Layla's Gale" on Amazon.

Meet the Author

Still amazed to be an adult, Nicole co-owns a marketing agency and writes paranormal romance novels. She has managed to center her life around raising her two small sons and being true to her family (including husband and friends), and is happiest near the water.

Nicole wrote a weekly column about life’s mysterious and mundane moments called “A Discerning Eye” for her local branch of AOL’s news website, Patch. Her poetry and articles have been published in journals including Executive Pie, Sacramento Poetry Corner, Mother Earth Journal, Lummox Journal, Poetry Now, Poetry Motel, and The Duke University Archives.
Nicole holds an English degree from Duke University where she studied poetry under Lucille Clifton and Debbie Pope.

As a former theater hand, Nicole assistant directed Broadway’s Little Women and Broadway’s A Thousand Clowns; served as prop master’s assistant for Broadway’s Birdy; and directed and stage managed a host of regional plays in Durham, North Carolina and Charles Town, West Virginia.
Nicole is a partner at marketing agency BlueTreeDigital, an outsourced marketing department for small-to-medium sized businesses. She lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her husband and two small sons.

Connect with Nicole online: 

Nicole Pouchet’s website: www.NicolePouchet.com
Nicole Pouchet’s Facebook page