This month, we’d like to celebrate bestselling author Colleen Oakes! Colleen’s bestselling novel, Elly in Love, captured the hearts of hundreds of readers with the lovable Elly Jordan. After leaving her cheating husband, Elly Jordan’s life is finally back to normal, until a life-changing wedding contract becomes more than she bargained for.

In anticipation for Colleen’s upcoming epic saga Queen of Hearts, we asked Colleen some fun questions so you can get to know her better! What inspired her to write Queen of Hearts? Who influences her writing? Read more below…

What was your biggest inspiration while writing Queen of Hearts?

The original book, Alice in Wonderland, was undoubtedly my greatest source of inspiration. I was so curious about the Queen – why was so she angry? Why was she, as Lewis Carroll said “An embodiment of blind fury”.  I channeled every angry woman had read about or known, tied that into a Princess with major Father issues, and added a Kingdom with a dark and oppressive history. Thus, the Queen was born.

Which character in Queen of Hearts is most like yourself?

Without a doubt, Dinah, my lead character, a girl full of both love and rage, is the most like myself. There are days when things aren’t going my way, where I literally think, “I wish I had a Kingdom to burn down.”  The difference is that Dinah actually strives for this, whereas I look for a brownie or take a long walk.  There is also something deliciously cunning about Cheshire, and I know that his short sentences and sarcastic demeanor can translate into my personality as well, more than I’d like to admit.

Which authors have most influenced your writing?

Far and away, the fantasy author that has influenced my writing the most would be George R.R Martin. His books have made me experience a range of emotions, and showed me that fantasy literature could be an epic work of brutal art that pulsed with a deeper current.  Other authors that inspire me as a writer and engage me as a reader include: Ann Patchett, Barbara Kingsolver, Trisha Ashely, Audrey Niffenegger, Margaret George, Nick Hornby, J.K Rowling,  Suzanne Collins, Garth Nix, Christopher Paolini and Leif Enger.

What is your favorite book of all time? 

My favorite fiction book is Jane Eyre. I read it every Christmas.  I make myself a hot chocolate in my favorite mug, curl up on the couch and crack open it’s lovely pages.   I love it’s mix of gothic darkness, romance and spirituality.

Describe your writing style in three words.

For this book: Descriptive, devastated and adventurous.