Today, I have over a dear friend of mine, Elle Boca. You may remember her from my recent post, The Fantastic World of Elle Boca. Elle has written the Unelmoija Urban Fantasy Series, and just published the fourth book, Unelmoija: The Timeshifter (Weeia Book 4). So, now it’s time for the interview – or, you can take part in Elle’s giveaway!
Hi Elle, great to have you here. What inspired you to write this book?
Taking the idea that if we set our minds we can accomplish great things to a higher level by adding the what if there were superhumans with really cool abilities, like over the top vision, eating great amounts of food without gaining weight or getting sick, making wishes come true while in a dream state, and yes, even flying, to the story to kick it up a notch.
“Eating great amounts of food without gaining weight” – now there’s a super ability I’d love to have! 😀 Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?
Reading! I know, duh. Okay, so maybe you want more detail. I like fiction and non fiction books. For example, in non fiction I’m reading Missing Microbes, a fascinating analysis of the role of bacteria in our bodies and health by Martin Blaser, M.D. In fiction, I’m reading Lady of the Pier, a paranormal romance by Greek author Effrosyni Moschoudi, and Creatures of Snow, a fantasy and science fiction debut novel by Teresa Carlson who is also an illustrator. When I have time, I enjoy photography, especially of nature and wildlife.
As it happens, I know them both, and they’re both such lovely authors – and wonderful people! I hope you enjoy their books. What are you working on at the moment?
I’m in the middle of writing the Weeia Series, a Miami urban fantasy story. Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter, Unelmoija: The Mindshifter and Unelmoija: The Spiritshifer, ebooks one, two and three, were published on Amazon already. I’m partway through with Unelmoija: The Timeshifter, book four. If you’re wondering why Unelmoija appears in all the titles, it’s because she’s the central character. From a more practical perspective, there are other books or search engine results for dreamshifter, timeshifter, and mindshifter. To avoid confusion, the titles include the word Unelmoija to differentiate them immediately from any other titles or search engine results.
I have done the same thing with Pearseus, so I know what you mean. Which are your favorite authors and what do you love about them?
Usually, my favorite author is the one I’m reading. Over the years, I have enjoyed works by Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Jennifer Estep, Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Anne Rice, and Wilbur Smith to name a few.
About Armstrong’s Otherworld series, I liked Elena’s strong character who eventually became the first female alpha.
About Briggs, her Mercy Thomson coyote character’s early stories for their quirky perspective and a different type of were-animal story.
About Butcher’s Dresden Files, I liked Harry’s warlock flawed character who cared too much and his guardian dog. They were always fighting against insurmountable odds.
About Estep’s The Spider, that she had such a heart and at the same time was a tough go getter, oh yeah and an assassin.
About Harris, Sookie’s resilience: despite the townsfolk’s bad attitude she was able to forgive them and keep striving for a normal life despite her ability to hear people’s thoughts.
About Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series, the contrast between the two main characters in the beginning of the series and how they were able to care for and appreciate each other.
About Rice, the profoundly bone chilling scary characters and settings, although I’m usually not fond of scary books.
About Smith, his portrayal of the richness of southern Africa that made me want to visit the places and learn about the people and their history.
That’s pretty eclectic. What genres do you read mostly and what are you reading now?
As you can see from the partial list above, I like urban fantasy. I also enjoy mysteries, historic novels and non fiction too.
Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?
There’s information about each of the titles as well as regular updates about new releases, reviews and anything that might interest my readers and fellow authors like you. And some of my photos.
Duncan and Amy: Who inspired their characters? Would you like to meet them? What would you tell them if you did?
Yes, I would absolutely love to meet them. I’d have a million questions for them, like how does it feel to have those amazing abilities they both have, how they manage to get along so well, and maybe I’d ask Amy if I could have her abilities for a day.
Your two first books focus a lot on situations of being trapped. Have you ever felt this way?
Ha, ha, ha. I never thought of it until you brought it up. I don’t think I’ve ever been physically trapped like Lilly, Kat and Amy were, unless you’re referring to being stuck in a steel cage at thousands of feet about the ground for many hours at a time without a way out? In that case, then yes, I’ve felt trapped many times. Lol. To address your questions properly, in the first book, I wanted Amy to discover that we make our own boundaries and we can break them too. Sometimes we are our own jail keepers, don’t you think?
Absolutely! More often than not, we’re the ones trapping ourselves. Or, as Lao Tzu put it, “the strongest chains are not made of steel.” How about book two?
Book two was about Amy and Kat finding each other. At the same time, Amy discovered working with others and taking chances. In the background, I showcased the horror that is human slavery, a very real problem in Miami and in many other places.
In your third book, your description of Amy’s preparation for the concert is surprisingly realistic. Would you ever sing before a large group of people? Have you ever done so?
Thank you! I always wanted to sing when I was little and I still do in the car when the radio is playing and the top is down. I suppose half the planet sings for grins. Do you mean a live group of people? That would be more challenging and way fun- and oh so terrifying. I sympathize with Amy!
Is it true you’ve been abducted by aliens?
Absolutely Well, maybe. Oh, I don’t know. You’re the scifi expert, can’t you tell?
Not yet, but I’ve been trying to get you to visit, so I can run some experiments ask you in person. Which one do you prefer: Zebras or giraffes?
This is a tough question! I’m a wildlife lover and it’s hard to pick favorites. Well, I love big cats, but aside from that each animal has its own star power. It’s amazing to observe how well they are camouflaged in the wild. Seems I haven’t answered your question… I guess I like both almost equally… drum roll… Maybe giraffes ’cause they’re so tall and elegant, and they can see far into the distance.
Now, your book is about Weeia. What’s that?
It’s more of a who than a what. Weeia are superhumans who have great abilities like telemetry, psychometry, ultra powerful eyesight, speedwalking, and uber eating to name a few.
Again with the eating (sigh)… Rub it in, why don’t you? Anyway, I see you’ve sent me an unusual photo for this interview. What’s with that?
It represents something important from the Weeia Series. Although in the books it’s fictional, it was inspired by real life. Can you guess what it is?
Actually yes, one was on display at the Botanical gardens while I was in Edinburgh. Only, ours had bloomed. You’re lucky yours was closed! 😀
Many thanks for being here, I enjoyed having you over! I’m looking forward to reading book 4!
Elle Boca’s Bio:
Elle is the author of the Weeia urban fantasy series set in Miami, Florida in the United States: Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter and Unelmoija: The Mindshifter. Unelmoija: The Spiritshifter, the third book in the Weeia Series, was recently released.
Growing up the only child of a monkey mother and a rabbit father she learned to keep herself entertained and spend time reading. She makes her home in South Florida.
You can find her on:
Check out Unelmoija: The Timeshifter (Weeia Book 4) on Amazon!
Thank you Fros, Maria, macjam47, SexwAnnie & Nicholas! It was fun being interviewed. I’m delighted you enjoyed it.
Great interview Nickolas!!
Thank you and welcome! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Highly entertaining, indeed! I’ve read and enjoyed Dreamshifter. An exciting urban fantasy series!
This was a great interview – both informative and entertaining.
Thanks! 🙂
What a delightful interview! And thank you for the mention guys 🙂 Best of luck with the new book, Elle 🙂