Exclusive Q&A with JA Redmerski, Author of Song of the Fireflies and The Edge of Never Series

I am so thrilled to have been given the chance to ask JA Redmerski several questions as part of the blog tour for her latest book, the Song of the Fireflies (read my review here)! I am a huge fan of hers, and I absolutely love her books. <3 For this Q&A, I wanted to know more about her and what inspired her to write Song of the Fireflies.

JA Redmerski

 1.  Have you ever gone on a road trip before?

I’ve done a lot of travelling, but never a real road-trip. I intend to someday! I just need a partner. ;-)

2.  I know that you visited the bar where Andrew and Camryn performed in New Orleans. In this book, are there any places that you visited personally as well?

No, but in SONG OF THE FIREFLIES I didn’t use any real places. Not that I named, anyway.

3.  What was it about the main characters of Song of the Fireflies stood out to you?

I think Elias’ love for Brayelle is the epitome of unconditional. He would do absolutely anything for her, and could never bring himself to leave her because of her emotional ‘baggage’. Seeing her in so much pain only makes him want—and need—to work even harder to see her smile again. Brayelle is not a ‘woe-is-me’ type of character. She has real damaging emotional issues caused by a diagnosed emotional disease. 

4.   Why did you choose to write a book about them [Bray and Elias] out of all the other supporting characters in the Edge of Never series?

Their characters and their story called to me the most. And because I wanted to go beyond Camryn and Andrew and start on something entirely new, who had no ties with Camryn and Andrew like other fan-favorite characters from THE EDGE OF NEVER and THE EDGE OF ALWAYS, like Asher, for instance. To write about Asher would mean I’d also have to revisit Andrew and Camryn (even if only in a small way), and by the end of THE EDGE OF ALWAYS, I was ready to let them go.

5.  Have you ever based a character from someone in real life?

I’ve never really based any particular characters from any one person I know, but bits and pieces of characters have been taken from people in my past.

6.  We've seen a glimpse of Lily's life from the epilogue of the Edge of Always. Will you write her story too?

At this time, I have to say no, but if I ever decide to write Lily’s story, it will be a long time down the road.

A huge, huge thank you to Ms. Marissa of Grand Central Publishing, and of course, JA Redmerski herself! Congratulations on the release of Song of the Fireflies ! **fistpump**

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author J.A. Redmerski brings us a stunning and heart-wrenching new novel about a couple who find each other in their darkest moment. 

Since they were kids, Elias Kline and Brayelle Bates have been inseparable. When Bray moves to South Carolina, separating the two for the first time, they both at last realize that their innocent childhood friendship has developed into something much more. So when Bray finally returns to Georgia—and to Elias—things between them couldn’t be more perfect…until one fateful night changes everything.

Desperate not to go to prison for a terrible accident, Elias and Bray decide to run. As they try to make the most of their freedom, the two find themselves relying on a rebellious group of people who tempt the duo into a wild and daring new life. But they can’t run from their troubles forever.

As the consequences of their past catch up to them, the couple must finally face reality. Even if they can make it through the unimaginable, Elias knows the truth about Bray’s painful history, and in the end he may not be able to save Bray from herself…

New Adult Contemporary Romance - Standalone Novel