S. McPherson
The Scarlet Court's Most Wanted (Witches of the Damned Book 1)
S. McPherson is a lover of all things magic and adores flipping tropes on their head. She writes corrupted fairytales and enjoys pulling her readers into worlds where nothing is black and white; but a glorious blur of the human condition. McPherson started her fantasy writing journey about five years ago and has since written four series!
What drives you to write?
I’ve always been happier in my head. I’m a cosplay loving book nerd and growing up, any mention of that earned me odd looks and shakes of the head. I was the girl who dreamed of magic in a world that had stopped believing in it. And so, writing became my escape. From the mundane, the complaints, the looks of confused pity. It was an outlet that felt like my first breath of air. As I grew, I learned to embrace my quirks and accept myself. But I write for the little girl inside me who spent years holding back. Who dreamt up great adventures and has so many worlds to explore.
What is this week’s featured book about? Tell us a little about it!
The Scarlet Court’s Most Wanted; a tale of Witches, cursed magic and romance. The Witches of the Damned are a wicked coven who were long since banished to the Realm of the Beyond, but hellbent on revenge and glory, they vow to return. In order to do that, they need the power of the Seventh Star; a young fae-witch named Akira Renée. So, whilst Akira finds a way to protect her soul from the Witches curse, she must also outrun them with the help of a handsome Fae she meets along the way.
What’s the book that made you “a reader”? And what’s the book that made you want to become a writer?
The first book I remember loving as “a reader” was when I was about three years old and it was called Catwitch by Lisa Tuttle. After that book, I remember being hooked on words and stories and I wanted to read it again and again.
As a writer, it was The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare that made me want to write. I’d always loved books and writing and actually wanted to be a script writer one day, but after reading The Mortal Instruments, I fell in love with the lyrical flow of her writing style and realised that words could not only be functional but also beautiful. One word could change the entire impact of the sentence, one sentence could change the power of the book. After that, I dove into writing my first full-length novel.
"[I] realised that words could not only be functional but also beautiful."
What’s your writing process?
When writing a book, I look at it as my actual book baby. Beginning with the bones (basic plot) of the story, then adding the meat, which is all the juicy action, plot twists and character interaction. Finally, I end with the heart which is all those poignant emotions that make the readers weep, fall in love and laugh and rage along with the characters.
What’s the last book you couldn’t put down and why?
That was From Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I loved the interaction of the characters and the level of intrigue in the plot was unputdownable haha I especially loved Pennellaphe who was an epically and yet believably fierce and badass heroine.
Describe your favorite book boyfriend or girlfriend!
In a word, Rhysand. *Swoon* If you somehow don’t know, Rhysand is the insanely delicious Fae from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by the brilliant Sarah J. Maas. Basically, my ideal book boyfriend is devastatingly handsome, cunning, witty, and dangerously powerful.
What are your all-time favorite tropes? What are your least favorite ones?
A couple of my all time favourite tropes are enemies to lovers romance and unknown magical abilities. For some reason, love triangles annoy me. I don’t mind when one person likes one person and the third person suffers from unrequited love, but it really infuriates me when one person likes two people and cannot make up their mind. I don’t know why haha.
"...I enjoy pulling my readers into worlds where nothing is black and white; but a glorious blur of the human condition."
What author do you fangirl over?
That would definitely be Sarah J. Maas, V.E. Schwab and Leigh Bardugo. I love almost everything those beautiful ladies write and I am sooo excited for Shadow and Bone to air on Netflix.
If you can share, what is the project you’re most looking forward to writing on day, even if you don’t currently have plans for it? I’m talking that dream project that’s always on your mind!
That would be the project I am currently working on behind the scenes that I actually wrote a few years ago but never ended up doing anything with other than sharing with a few enthusiastic readers to get their opinion. Its working title is; Operation: Cursed Queen, and it involves a cursed princess, an overthrown kingdom and a world beyond the Bermuda Triangle.
To you, what is the value of imagination?
Imagination is priceless. It is the beginning and end of everything. I’m a big believer in manifesting and believe that our minds and imaginations are powerful.
ABOUT THE SCARLET COURT'S MOST WANTED
A cursed Fae, a cunning prince, and a cold-hearted warden are all after one thing…Me.
Through an unexpected turn of heartbreak and heroics, Akira Renée becomes the most wanted woman in the Six Realms with powers she shouldn’t have. Now, it’s up to her to find the Three Relics and break an ancient curse that has plagued her kind for centuries.
However, there are those who wish to keep them cursed and who crave the hidden power Akira wields.
On the run from dangerous mages, wild shifters, wicked princes and a Fae whose smile makes her knees tremble, Akira realises she won’t get far on her own.
But, when she’s hated for who she is and hunted for what she will become, who can she trust in a world built on secrets and lies, and where everyone has their own agenda?
Fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout will devour this steampunk fantasy series with a medium burn romance.
Grab it now, or stay tuned for a preview of the first chapter on Thursday! ;)
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