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by Aviva Bel‘Harold
Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Vampire, Horror
ISBN: Print: 978-1-77053-073-7, E-Book: 978-1-77053-074-4
Book Length: 336 pages
Publisher: EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Grief changes people.
Brittany used to be a normal teen. She ate like one, slept like one, and had typical teenage mood swings. But after she found her best friend dead, everything changed.
Grief might explain her loss of appetite and her lack of sleep. It might even explain why she sees her dead friend everywhere she goes. But it certainly won't explain why everyone she touches develops bruises or why she's attracted to the smell of blood.
And, she's pretty sure grief dosen't make you want to rip apart your boyfriend just to get closer to his beating heart.
But what happens when it's the choices we make, not the creature inside, that proves the monster is in us all?
Available at:
Author Bio
Aviva Bel’Harold writes young adult fiction: Horror, Science Fiction, ¬Urban Fantasy, etc. — as long as the ¬characters are young, full of life, and out for adventure.
When she’s writing, you’ll find her curled up on a sofa with a pen and a pad of paper, ¬surrounded by her adorable puppies.
Born in Winnipeg and raised in Vancouver, Aviva Bel’Harold ¬currently resides in Calgary with her husband, four children, and six dachshunds.
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Interview
Please welcome Blood Matters author Aviva Bel‘Harold to Diane’s Book Blog.
What is your favorite part of the story, Blood Matters?
The ending! Without spoiling it — the last scenes were my most favourite part to write.
How long did it take you to write Blood Matters?
Approximately 11 months for the first draft. Then over a year between all the edits.
If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by
your side?
Gran! I’d want Gran because she seems like a very resourceful woman. She’d offer the best chance of survival… then again, she is also a blood thirsty vampire, so I guess if she gave into her cravings I’d be dead anyway — but at least it would be quick and painless.
If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?
Brittany. In all my other books I’ve put a little of myself into the main characters. But not in Blood Matters. Brittany isn’t anything like me at all. I think she’d be a cool friend to have.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My Daughter almost committed suicide and I wrote my first book FOR her. I wanted to inspire her to hope and hold on because I was sure her life would get better. When she read the manuscript she insisted I get it published so it could help other people who might be feeling the same way she was.
What is your favorite book that you wrote?
I refuse to choose — it’s like asking a mother to choose one of their children over the others. However, I will say, just like being a mother, I do spend extra time with the child that needs help (usually the youngest or the one who is sick of the one who’s been away). So with books, my newest gets a little more attention.
Who or what inspired you to be a writer?
My daughter inspired me to become an author. However, the truth is that I had so many stories in my head I’d either go crazy from them or I’d eventually have to write them out. I’m glad I chose the latter.
What books have most influenced your life?
Almost anything by Tory L. Haydon.
What's your favorite book-turned movie?
Right now, at this very moment — The Mockingjay. Mostly that’s because, for me, the book left me feeling like I was missing something. However, seeing the movie I feel like the story was a little more consistent (though, I would have changed the end just a bit.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Most authors I like because there’s something they do, or say, or some kind of story about either that makes me think “I’ve found my people.” “I do that exact same thing.”
However, for author’s works I’d have to go with Kelly Armstrong. I really like her youth series, especially The Gathering. I am in total awe of how she can write so many books about one world and tie characters and events over the span of them all. Just amazed!
What is your typical day like?
Sadly, most days revolve around my kids. Getting them up, off to school, making sure they are fed and dressed well. Then there is the dogs. I have 6. So there’s usually a mess or two that needs cleaning. Then once all that is done, if I don’t have appointments I can finally sneak off to my sauna where I take my latest manuscript and either write more in it or edit the latest version I’ve been working on. Things quiet down for the afternoon. But once school is out all hell breaks loose and it takes all my energy just to remember to breath. Once the kitchen is cleaned and the kids are all tucked away, I’ll usually find some time to either write, tweak or do some work on the computer.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I want to say chocolate, but I know that’s not the actual answer. For me, writer’s block goes away when I stop letting it be a thing. Usually if I can’t write something it’s because there is something wrong with it. Something I need to work out. My mind — and I’m not always conscious of this part — is good at working through the problem to a fix if I just give it the time it needs.
I find if I back off and give the problem space to breath. My mind will do what it is so good at doing and suddenly it’s like “light bulb” of course X has to happen and then Y and of course after that Z…
Meanwhile, as I let the process work itself out I’m catching up on a show or the housework or reading I desperately needed to get done, or spending time with my family (or not and getting together with a friend) and sometimes I just let it go and pick up a different project.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I could but then you would be so excited about it you wouldn’t want to wait for it to come out.
What book are you reading now?
Matched. The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer. Beautiful creatures (but I watched the movie first so I’m struggling with it). Also, for personal growth I’m reading Woman, Food and God.
What do you prefer paperback, hardcover, or ebooks?
Paperback! I like something real — but not heavy. Besides, I love seeing my books after I’ve read them. It’s like having all my friends hanging around just waiting to talk to me again.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I hope you enjoy reading Blood Matters as much as I enjoyed writing it. I love EV so much I wish she really existed. I’d let her be my parasite in a heartbeat!
What is your favorite part of the story, Blood Matters?
The ending! Without spoiling it — the last scenes were my most favourite part to write.
How long did it take you to write Blood Matters?
Approximately 11 months for the first draft. Then over a year between all the edits.
If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by
your side?
Gran! I’d want Gran because she seems like a very resourceful woman. She’d offer the best chance of survival… then again, she is also a blood thirsty vampire, so I guess if she gave into her cravings I’d be dead anyway — but at least it would be quick and painless.
If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?
Brittany. In all my other books I’ve put a little of myself into the main characters. But not in Blood Matters. Brittany isn’t anything like me at all. I think she’d be a cool friend to have.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My Daughter almost committed suicide and I wrote my first book FOR her. I wanted to inspire her to hope and hold on because I was sure her life would get better. When she read the manuscript she insisted I get it published so it could help other people who might be feeling the same way she was.
What is your favorite book that you wrote?
I refuse to choose — it’s like asking a mother to choose one of their children over the others. However, I will say, just like being a mother, I do spend extra time with the child that needs help (usually the youngest or the one who is sick of the one who’s been away). So with books, my newest gets a little more attention.
Who or what inspired you to be a writer?
My daughter inspired me to become an author. However, the truth is that I had so many stories in my head I’d either go crazy from them or I’d eventually have to write them out. I’m glad I chose the latter.
What books have most influenced your life?
Almost anything by Tory L. Haydon.
What's your favorite book-turned movie?
Right now, at this very moment — The Mockingjay. Mostly that’s because, for me, the book left me feeling like I was missing something. However, seeing the movie I feel like the story was a little more consistent (though, I would have changed the end just a bit.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Most authors I like because there’s something they do, or say, or some kind of story about either that makes me think “I’ve found my people.” “I do that exact same thing.”
However, for author’s works I’d have to go with Kelly Armstrong. I really like her youth series, especially The Gathering. I am in total awe of how she can write so many books about one world and tie characters and events over the span of them all. Just amazed!
What is your typical day like?
Sadly, most days revolve around my kids. Getting them up, off to school, making sure they are fed and dressed well. Then there is the dogs. I have 6. So there’s usually a mess or two that needs cleaning. Then once all that is done, if I don’t have appointments I can finally sneak off to my sauna where I take my latest manuscript and either write more in it or edit the latest version I’ve been working on. Things quiet down for the afternoon. But once school is out all hell breaks loose and it takes all my energy just to remember to breath. Once the kitchen is cleaned and the kids are all tucked away, I’ll usually find some time to either write, tweak or do some work on the computer.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I want to say chocolate, but I know that’s not the actual answer. For me, writer’s block goes away when I stop letting it be a thing. Usually if I can’t write something it’s because there is something wrong with it. Something I need to work out. My mind — and I’m not always conscious of this part — is good at working through the problem to a fix if I just give it the time it needs.
I find if I back off and give the problem space to breath. My mind will do what it is so good at doing and suddenly it’s like “light bulb” of course X has to happen and then Y and of course after that Z…
Meanwhile, as I let the process work itself out I’m catching up on a show or the housework or reading I desperately needed to get done, or spending time with my family (or not and getting together with a friend) and sometimes I just let it go and pick up a different project.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I could but then you would be so excited about it you wouldn’t want to wait for it to come out.
What book are you reading now?
Matched. The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer. Beautiful creatures (but I watched the movie first so I’m struggling with it). Also, for personal growth I’m reading Woman, Food and God.
What do you prefer paperback, hardcover, or ebooks?
Paperback! I like something real — but not heavy. Besides, I love seeing my books after I’ve read them. It’s like having all my friends hanging around just waiting to talk to me again.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I hope you enjoy reading Blood Matters as much as I enjoyed writing it. I love EV so much I wish she really existed. I’d let her be my parasite in a heartbeat!
You are a really cool person, Aviva. I admire your openness and courage in sharing your personal stories, as much as I enjoy your writing. It was great meeting you at Ad Astra, and I can't wait to read my copy of Blood Matters!
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