Author Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Website: Devika Fernando
Author's Blog: Devika Fernando
Twitter: @Author_Devika
E-Mail: devikagisela.fernando@gmail.com
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Facebook: Check Out Facebook
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Amazon Author Profile
Author Description:
Almost as soon as Devika Fernando could write, she imagined stories and poems. After finishing her education in Germany and returning to her roots in Sri Lanka, she got a chance to turn her passion into her profession. Having lived in Germany and in Sri Lanka with her husband has made her experience the best (and the worst) of two totally different worlds - something that influences her writing. Her trademark is writing sweet and sensual, deeply emotional romance stories where the characters actually fall in love instead of merely falling in lust.
What she loves most about being an author is the chance to create new worlds and send her protagonists on a journey full of ups and downs that will leave them changed. She draws inspiration from everyone and everything in life. Besides being a romance novel author, Devika is a faithful servant to all the cats and dogs she has adopted. When she's not writing, she's reading or thinking about writing.
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
Congratulations on your book: The Prince's Surprise Bride. What do you have on the drawing board next? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
Thank you, it was lovely to release my third royal romance, though this will be an ongoing series and not just a trilogy. For now, I’m focusing on a new romance series titled ‘Inn Love’. Each book will center on an inn/bed & breakfast in a different country such as Canada, England and Italy. I’m still in the process of writing these books, so there’s no release date yet. However, Book 5 of the ‘Forbidden’ romantic thriller series I am coauthoring with Mike Wells will be released in the next couple of months.
You have a good following on twitter. Since you started before the social media buzz, what impact has social media relationships had on your current success? How did you build your following in your niche? How much has it changed your book launch process?
As I’m writing for an international readership, I always knew social media would play an important role. I rely on Facebook, Twitter and the internet in general for my book marketing. During the earlier stages, I concentrated on networking with other authors as well as joining groups and online book clubs. Once the first book was out, I began reaching out to bloggers and reviewers too, as well as specifically targeting readers. Now that I have more followers, I sometimes opt for giveaways or join multi-author promotions; nothing else has changed in my approach. I try to keep things visual and interactive instead of simply posting text.
Do you do any book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances? If so, when and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
No. Unfortunately, I live in the wrong place for that. Sri Lanka isn’t as hyped about books as India, especially not about romance written in English. I guess if I still lived in Germany, I would consider approaching bookshops and traditional media – but online promotion is quicker, easier and cheaper and works well for me. If readers want to reach out to me, they can find me on Facebook, on Twitter, on Goodreads and on my blog. I always welcome a more personal exchange or feedback of any kind, and I also have a lot of indie author friends.
You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?
Thank you. I design my own book covers. Usually, I wait until I have a solid idea what the book will be about and until I’ve written at least a third of it. Then I hunt stock photography sites for pictures and experiment with several looks until I’m satisfied. I think it’s important that my brand and the books (and series’) theme are noticeable. When I was sure I would embark on the royal romance series, I designed the covers for the three first books so they’d have a similar feel and spark interest.
I like the idea of bundling a series of novels. You have put together a set of your novels called Romancing the Royals. What was the impact on your other sales? What was your main objective in bundling your novels?
I thought it would be a good option for someone who is familiar with my books or with royal romances and would like to buy them all with one click whereas those who had read the first book would just naturally move on to the sequels separately. Furthermore, there are readers who like to pick up bargains, and they can save money with box sets like ‘Romancing the Royals’. It’s also nice to promote these bundles on Amazon or enter them into giveaways because a box set is still seen as something special.
What is your primary genre? What has been your best marketing approach to this group?
I write contemporary romance first and foremost, on the sweet/clean side with a sensual touch. I emphasize this sweet aspect as well as my international approach: a lot of my couples are interracial, and I choose countries from around the world as the setting. That is a useful approach to marketing as many of us are inevitably fascinated by exotic locations.
Do you maintain a reader list? What are the methods you use to find your readers and create the list and the relationship? Do you use social media, forums, newsletters and/or support groups to build your list?
I have a newsletter people can subscribe to (http://eepurl.com/bK6AzL), and I diligently follow readers on Twitter. I also have a Facebook account and not just an author page, which makes interacting and sharing as well as communicating easier and more personal.
You have a great blog. You do a great job keeping readers informed, marketing your books and helping other writers gain exposure. What is your primary goal? And where in the world do you find the time to create great novels, take care of the social media and maintain your blog?
Sometimes I wonder that myself… I guess it helps that I love what I do and that I take it seriously. It’s not just a hobby; it requires discipline and dedication, and constant attention. I would say my primary goal is reaching a wide audience while at the same time staying true to my author brand and connecting on a personal level.
Living in Sri Lanka creates a unique selling and marketing situation. Where is your biggest audience? Does marketing online help in this situation?
As mentioned before, Sri Lanka isn’t the ideal location for a romance novelist with German roots and English books. However, it has opened the door to the Indian community, with which I interact closely on social media. My readers also live in the USA, Australia, England, Canada, and other corners of the world. Social media definitely is a blessing in this regard. I do not promote my works in Sri Lanka, and I face issues like horrendous shipping costs, long delivery times and taxes when it comes to paperbacks, for example – then again, my main focus are eBooks anyway.
You are working with Mike Wells in creating the Forbidden Romantic Thriller Series. Congrats on the series. How does the process work? How did you two get together? Have you planned any more in the Forbidden series?
It’s fun writing this series with Mike, though I won’t deny that collaborating can also be a challenge. I’ve learned a lot by coauthoring the ‘Forbidden’ books with Mike, and things usually flow well because we communicate regularly. The whole thing started a few years ago when I chanced on a Facebook post where Mike was looking for coauthors. I left a comment, not even thinking I would be a suitable candidate as my main focus is romance. But Mike got in touch with me, and we worked out some rough plot ideas and discussed how we would go about the actual writing, royalty shares and promotion. Then Mike wrote an extensive outline of the first book for me to work with. The rest, as they say, is history. We recently released Book 4 (Lady Sotheby’s Curse), and Books 5 and 6 will be out over the course of the next few months.
Author's Book List
The Prince's Surprise Bride
- Romancing the Royals Book 3When Jessica is accidentally involved in the kidnapping of the Crown Prince of Eirik, her life turns upside down. Not only does she start questioning everything she has taken for granted, but she also falls head over heels in love with the charming Norse royal. Reality returns with a vengeance after their short but exhilarating time together, and Jessica is forced to bury all hopes for a love-filled fairytale and fight for her future as well as her ailing father’s health. But then Prince Erik makes her an offer too good to refuse. Should she listen to her heart or her head? Prince Erik has always put his kingdom before himself, but that changes when fate tempts him with this amazing woman from Germany. He is determined to win Jessica over, even if it means opening up old wounds. When push comes to shove and not only his heart but also his country is at stake, will he find the strength to make love overcome all obstacles thrown into their path?
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The Prince's Stubborn Bride
- Romancing the Royals Book 2Princess Olivia has just lost her husband. She is all alone in a foreign kingdom in desperate need of a ruler who can make it prosper again. Prince Sebastian is the only one who can help her prevent an uprising – but he has a reputation for being a loner and a rebel. Can she trust him when it seems that everyone else has a hidden agenda?
Prince Sebastian of Visteria once vowed to stay away from all royal obligations, but there’s no way he’ll leave his brother’s young widow in the claws of scheming ministers fighting to bring the monarchy to its downfall and ruin the people’s future. What he hasn’t counted on is the instant attraction sparking between the two of them.
Is a happy ending possible for these two royals who are too blind to realize they’re made for each other?
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The Prince's Special Bride
- Romancing the Royals Book 1Marie doesn’t believe in fairytales and needs no handsome prince to rescue her from misery – but everything changes when she falls in love with Crown Prince Christian of Taragonia. When his sister invites Marie to the palace, their lives collide and leave them both fighting their forbidden attraction.
Prince Christian has no place in his life for love or for a woman who doesn’t fit into the royal scheme of things. But vivacious Marie steals his heart and puts all he has lived for at stake. When the media gets wind of their affair, he has to make a difficult decision.
Will the unlikely couple have a chance at a happy ending?
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Living with Fire
- Book 3 of the FIRE TrilogyWhen a fire witch and an ice wizard flee to Iceland to build a new life, they never expect the one thing that could tear them apart – Kyle, adding his own magic into the mix. Felicia starts questioning everything they have. She is torn between the man who loves her but is her polar opposite, and the man who attracts her but means nothing but trouble.
As if her confusing emotions weren’t enough, Felicia finds her life turned upside down when a terrifying natural disaster threatens the end of the country and the entire world. ?
Will she be able to control her gift and play the part that is expected of her? Will she give in to temptation or will she save the world?
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Dancing with Fire
- Book 2 of the FIRE TrilogyWhen a fire witch and an ice wizard flee to Iceland to build a new life, they never expect the one thing that could tear them apart – Kyle, adding his own magic into the mix. Felicia starts questioning everything they have. She is torn between the man who loves her but is her polar opposite, and the man who attracts her but means nothing but trouble.
As if her confusing emotions weren’t enough, Felicia finds her life turned upside down when a terrifying natural disaster threatens the end of the country and the entire world. ?
Will she be able to control her gift and play the part that is expected of her? Will she give in to temptation or will she save the world?
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Amazon
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KOBO Store
iTunes Store
Playing with Fire
- Book 1 of the FIRE TrilogyIf you’re playing with fire, prepare to get burned – or to fall in love.
Sparks fly when Felicia and Joshua meet. Discovering her inner fire and unleashing unimaginable powers makes her realize that all her life, she has been hiding her true self. When buildings burn and people are in danger, the tempting game of playing with fire becomes serious. Will their love and desperate struggle for control save her life, or will the fire magic turn itself against its mistress?
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Seduced in Spain
- Romance Round the World (Multicultural) Book 2Sometimes all that two people need to make things right is a second chance…
Nine years ago, Alejandro broke Emily's heart, but a business trip to Spain forces her to be in his company again. Old wounds are reopened and new temptations complicate things even more. When life leaves her no choice, she realizes that sometimes the heart doesn’t listen to the brain. Will Emily win the battle against her forbidden desire and Alejandro’s charm, or will history repeat itself?
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Saved in Sri Lanka
- Romance Round the World (Multicultural) Book 1Some people are destined to meet.
It sure feels that way when Sri Lankan tour guide Sepalika meets Daniel. The mysterious tourist from Ireland steals his way into her heart and makes her question everything her life is built upon. Instant attraction turns to love – but does he feel the same? And what about the secret she’s hiding from him?
Follow the two on their quest for a happy ending amid the beauty and wonders of the tropical island paradise of Sri Lanka.
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Forbidden, Book 4
- Lady Sotheby's CurseIt's been almost a year since Lady Eleanor Sotheby leaped from a hotel balcony into the abyss. Jayne Clark is now living an entirely new life in Oxford, England, with Robert Astor, the man she loves. The horrific memories are finally starting to fade.
That's when the malicious envelope arrives in the mail.
It's a blackmail letter.
And the criminal behind it threatens to destroy everything.
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Forbidden, Book 3
- A Novel of Love and Betrayal - Forbidden Romantic Thriller SeriesWhen Lady Eleanor Sotheby unexpectedly enters the life of Jayne Clark, a 23-year old waitress from Wichita, Kansas, Jayne's world is turned upside down. Not only is she welcomed into a family that she never knew, but she is thrust headlong into the highest strata of European society. Nothing is too grand in the fairy tale lives of the uber-rich--the spectacular seaside villas, the sleek, chauffeured limousines, the outrageously expensive designer clothes. When Jayne plays her part and learns to fit into this new world, she meets Robert Astor, the man of her dreams. But her feelings for Robert are forbidden. Jayne's heady new life begins to unravel into a dark web of deceit, domination and greed...and she ultimately finds herself confronting an evil that truly has no limits.
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Forbidden, Book 2
- A Novel of Love and Betrayal - Forbidden Romantic Thriller SeriesWhen Lady Eleanor Sotheby unexpectedly enters the life of Jayne Clark, a 23-year old waitress from Wichita, Kansas, Jayne's world is turned upside down. Not only is she welcomed into a family that she never knew, but she is thrust headlong into the highest strata of European society. Nothing is too grand in the fairy tale lives of the uber-rich--the spectacular seaside villas, the sleek, chauffeured limousines, the outrageously expensive designer clothes. When Jayne plays her part and learns to fit into this new world, she meets Robert Astor, the man of her dreams. But her feelings for Robert are forbidden. Jayne's heady new life begins to unravel into a dark web of deceit, domination and greed...and she ultimately finds herself confronting an evil that truly has no limits.
Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO Store
iTunes Store
Forbidden, Book 1
- A Novel of Love and BetrayalWhen Lady Eleanor Sotheby unexpectedly enters the life of Jayne Clark, a 23-year old waitress from Wichita, Kansas, Jayne's world is turned upside down. Not only is she welcomed into a family that she never knew, but she is thrust headlong into the highest strata of European society. Nothing is too grand in the fairy tale lives of the uber-rich--the spectacular seaside villas, the sleek, chauffeured limousines, the outrageously expensive designer clothes. When Jayne plays her part and learns to fit into this new world, she meets Robert Astor, the man of her dreams. But her feelings for Robert are forbidden. Jayne's heady new life begins to unravel into a dark web of deceit, domination and greed...and she ultimately finds herself confronting an evil that truly has no limits.
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Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO Store
iTunes Store
Kaleidoscope of Hopes
- A Second Chance Workplace RomanceHigh hopes mean big disappointments. Nadia has learned that lesson the hard way. Single, struggling to make ends meet, and hurt by the past, the last thing she needs is another complication. When her new boss – a handsome, secretive widower with a child – moves in next door, their worlds collide. Sweet hopes bloom again, but both of them are burdened by tragic secrets. Should she give love a second chance?
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When I See Your Face
- A Second Chance Sweet RomanceCathy has had enough. Having run away from her abusive husband, she tries to pick up the broken pieces of her life in a remote village, focusing on her dream to start her own cake business. Finding true love is the last thing on her mind. When she comes face to face with a man who looks exactly like the one she is struggling to forget, life throws the biggest challenge yet at her: Should she give in to his charm and care or is history going to repeat itself?
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Thanks for having me over. Your interview was fun!
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