by Lindsey Duga

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Teen)

Release Date: August 3rd 2020

Since she was a child, Eris has been told to keep quiet. The only time she is allowed to use her voice is on the smoky, soft-lit stage of Helena Maldu’s speakeasy, The Blind Dragon. Her songs ensnare patrons, and keep them coming back–which is good business. But her safe, yet mundane, life is gone with the drop of a mic when a handsome young hunter walks into her bar.

Colt Clemmons is an agent of a specialized division of the Bureau of Investigation–a division that hunts down not just mobsters, but monsters. And a certain sweet-faced siren masquerading as a waitress is his next target. Only, when he meets Eris, she’s not at all what Colt was expecting, and he’s forced to decide for himself whether or not she deserves the fate that the government has in store for her.

But someone else is hunting the lost siren as well. Her mysterious creator is after her voice for the power that it possesses and will stop at nothing to get his monster back. As Colt and Eris evade his monstrous henchmen at every turn, a darker, more sinister plot begins to unfold, and with it, effects that will send shockwaves across the nation.

While I love both Colt and Eris, I have a special place in my heart for Stanley, the bartender at The Blind Dragon. He’s modelled slightly after my favorite thriller hero: Jack Reacher. Being an ex-military cop, he’s strong and capable, and he also cares deeply for Eris. He’s like an uncle to her and would do practically anything to keep her safe. How can you not love such a stand-up guy?

The idea of ROARING was very simple at first. I wanted to write a book in the 1920s and I had it in my head that I wanted the main character to be a singer in a speakeasy. But what gave it that special twist? What made it fantastical and not just historical? Then came the idea of using one of my favorite things ever--mythology. What if she was a siren? That monster in Greek myths that lured sailors to their deaths. That’s when I realized I had a book...a siren in a speakeasy! Her siren song could lure patrons to her bar and keep them coming back, which is, of course, good for business.

A song featured in the season finale of one of my favorite shows: Lucifer! Gosh, I loved that scene so much. It’s haunting, devastating, and strangely otherworldly. I thought it was the perfect song for my two characters and how they feel for each other, along with the dark netherworld they’re trapped in.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Holland Roden (Lydia from Teen Wolf) would be Eris—hands down. She has the beauty and innocence that is needed for Eris. And she plays scared really well, haha. 

Colt would have to be played by Taron Egerton. I would accept no one else! His square jaw and handsome smirk (swoon) would be perfect for Colt. Plus, he plays a secret agent really well. Kingsmen, anyone?

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

There’s a very noir bar in my town called “Hayride Scandal”. It has plush armchairs and chintz sofas and bartenders that wear suspenders. They also have a jazz band that plays every Thursday night and a pianist on the weekend. I’d camp out there in a back corner and order a “bee sting smash” a mixed drink with honey whiskey. And then I’d pretend that I actually was in The Blind Dragon!

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish ROARING?

The Diviners by Libba Bray – A demon is unleashed in the Jazz Age. Paranormal powers set in the 1920s. 

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab – Amazing tale of humans and monsters and what makes us all real monsters.

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown – Daughter of Harry Houdini! How fun is that? Set in the 1920s.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

The ending! It never fails, I always rush through writing the ending because I’m so close to being done and then my editor tells me “we could draw out the ending a little more.” It’s a trap I fall into every time!

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on another YA paranormal! This one is a contemporary setting with a hero who can control thunder and lightning. That’s right–it’s gonna be a STORMY romance!

- signed print copy of ROARING

- signed copy of GLOW OF THE FIREFLIES 

- artwork prints of featured scenes from the book

- $25 amazon gift card