Interview with Angel's Guilty Pleasures

Hello and Welcome All!

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Jo Denning author of Hush Hush City.

Hi Jo, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Who inspired you to become a writer?

I began writing Dead Blood City, the first book in the Saoirse Reilly series while working in a psychiatric hospital at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. My inspiration to become a writer was a thirteen-year-old patient who died by suicide.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

I’ve always been an avid reader of horror, fantasy, and romance. Some of my favorite authors are Stephen King, JRR Tolkien, Anne Rice, and Patricia Briggs. I think everything I’ve read and experienced in life influences my writing. The Saoirse Reilly series is solidly an urban fantasy series but it includes elements of high fantasy and subversions of high fantasy tropes.

Do you ever get writer’s block?

No, this hasn’t been an issue for me.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I always create a detailed outline before I start writing. Then I create scene cards, a strategy discussed in ‘Story Genius,’ to make sure every scene actively contributes to character development. I jump around to different chapters and scenes when I write so a good outline helps me stay on track.

Tell us a few Fun Facts about Hush Hush City?

Hush Hush City explores the overlap of Viking and Irish culture, as well as the fraught history between Ukraine and Russia. The sequel to Dead Blood City also includes more information about Reilly’s heritage and her mysterious father, Cian Dermot. The book also reveals Somerled’s true identity.

Please tell us about the different characters in your book?

All of the characters in Hush Hush City and the Saoirse Reilly series are very important to me. They tell the story, I’m just writing it. Alderisi and Somerled are the fan favs with their big personalities and complex stories. They are definitely scene-stealers! I enjoy writing them but I’ll let my reviewers sing their praises. I’m going to focus on my favorites!

Saoirse Reilly is the protagonist, a Boston police detective with psychic abilities. She has been a love her or hate her kind of character for readers and that is intentional. She has taken a lot of hits throughout her life. As a result, she is a bit of a mess right now. But I believe in her. Other favs of mine are her partner, Bastian Perez, a loyal youngest son with excellent social skills and a sweet ride. Unlike Reilly, all my readers love Bastian. Delaney Bascom is my personal hero, a fourteen-year-old Autistic girl who seems to know everything. Reilly saves her from monsters in Dead Blood City, but there will come a time when Delaney returns the favor. Her ‘uncle’ is Aiden Ward, an idealistic ADA who sees glimmers of the future.

Without revealing too much, what is your favorite scene in the book?

My favorite scene takes place in Chapter 16, How Silence Kills. Following some misadventures, Reilly takes Delaney out for ice cream in an attempt to cheer her up. It’s a funny juxtaposition of vibes. You’ll have to read it to see what I mean!

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

Learn more at Angel's Guilty Pleasures... https://angelsguiltypleasures.com/2023/06/interview-jo-denning-hush-hush-city-booktour-excerpt